Monthly Archives for September 2021.
Anti-customer policies adopted under the mantra of self-preservation are no longer necessary. It’s time to revert to pre-pandemic refund rules. A three hour flight change means not giving customers what they paid for, and passengers should be entitled to their money back.
Passengers will make ingenious use of the limited amenities offered to them on a plane, whether it’s plugging a sewing machine into seat power to make curtains or drying underwear using the air vent above a seat.
But what if you don’t have enough outlets for your electronics?
Customers who earned their status the hard way for next year, rather than just having it extended, have something of a legitimate beef with their brand. They’ve chosen their travel provider, trying to earn their status. They’ve selected less convenient flights, sometimes connections rather than non-stops. They’ve chosen less convenient hotels. They may have paid more than what competitors were pricing their products at. And they’ve done all of that all while accepting lower levels of service (fewer meals in airline cabins, limited housekeeping or breakfast benefits and closed club lounges at hotels).
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.
Alaska Airlines elites no longer receive some of their elite benefits while flying American Airlines on Basic Economy tickets. This change is being made even though American Airlines elite members receive full benefits on basic economy tickets.
The Chairman and CEO of HNA Group, parent of Hainan Airlines and several other carriers, has been taken away by police. At one point HNA was the largest owner of Hilton and owned stakes in a dozen airlines (like Virgin Australia, TAP Air Portugal) as well as airport catering companies.
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.
The owner of the TWA hotel is MCR Hotels, the fourth largest hotel ownership group in the country spanning 125 properties in 34 states including Marriotts, Hiltons and IHG hotels.
Its CEO declares that hotels need to move to an a la carte pricing model, based on the success of ultra low cost airlines like Allegiant, Spirit, VivaAerobus, and Wizz Air.
Reportedly, “the passenger punched the attendant in the chest and back of the head while the attendant was walking through the cabin to pick up trash.” This is just a 218 mile flight. And everyone is in Hawaii. Chill out a little bit, maybe, and you’ll be off the aircraft soon? Masks weren’t even involved.
You might say that airlines, as private businesses, should be allowed to choose not to transport anyone they wish. But this shouldn’t be viewed as private action, it is state action. The proposal comes in response to an FAA threat that airlines had one week to come up with a solution to unruly passengers.
There is a federal regulation in place on masking. That has a fine as a maximum penalty. Pressuring airlines to impose a more significant penalty than provided for in regulation or law is highly problematic.
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 »
