Monthly Archives for November 2020.
American Airlines is getting in on the business class award party for premium cross country flights with New York JFK – Los Angeles wide open throughout 2021 offering business class awards at good prices for groups of travelers.
Here’s my question. If these rappers are really as big as their swagger suggests, would they be flying Emirates – an airline dedicated to bling – in economy?
The FAA administrator has signed the ungrounding order for the Boeing 737 MAX. That will allow it to return to the sky, once an airline’s training program has been approved, software has been updated in aircraft, and pilots are trained on new procedures.
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.
Through December 1, Frontier Airlines is offering to give elite status to customers with existing status with another airline. Status is valid through the end of 2021, and they’re matching up to their top tier of status. That’s actually really interesting because while Frontier is a low fare, fee-based airline top elites generally see all of their fees waived for everything.
Base-level status comes with a free carry on bag and seat assignment, and extra legroom seats if available at check-in as some of its benefits. Mid-tier status adds bonus miles. And top tier status offers checked bags and makes all tickets refundable, for everyone on the member’s booking.
Domestic travel is obviously coming back faster than international. Domestic flights in Asian counties is coming back the fastest. In the U.S. people are heading to Florida and other leisure destinations, so that’s where airlines are sending their planes. The cities that make the list though are in many ways surprising.
Aeroplan continues to work well for Americans, I think, and perhaps even for those who fly Air Canada with elite status or their co-brand credit card. Whether they work as well as promoted for the general member in Canada who doesn’t sign up for a card depends on how pricing of Air Canada flights is managed going forward (but the program still appears to be a real improvement over what was offered before, without fuel surcharges).
American Airlines is making its paid premium airport concierge service available to more passengers, at a lower price: parties of 3 or more receive a 50% discount on their booking. The discount applies when spending miles instead of cash too.
This service gets you airport meet and greet and escort through security, to the lounge and from there to the gate (there’s also service for connections and on arrival). It includes Admirals Club access, priority boarding, and assistance with flight re-accommodation during irregular operations.
Three more Admirals Clubs have re-opened – Tampa, Raleigh, and Orange County – joining 21 clubs that had already re-opened. (Two additional airports have service centers to assist Admirals Club members with their travel, Pittsburgh and Atlanta.)
That brings the total list of re-opened clubs to 24 across 20 airports.
The Cathay Pacific route map is about to get much smaller as the Hong Kong-based oneworld airline permanently drops 7 destinations, including three to the U.S.
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 »
