Nov
05
2021
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.
Making Washington National Airport Worse
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for November 2021.
Southwest Airlines Reports White Mom To Authorities For Having Biracial Daughter
Nov
05
2021
Southwest is in the news after a flight attendant reported a white mother traveling with her 10 year old biracial daughter as “suspicious.” The mother was investigated as a sex trafficker.
Can Expedia Actually Get Worse? Plus Amex Customer Service Oops.
Nov
04
2021
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.
New Marriott Points Bonus Shows Why You Shouldn’t Transfer Points From Chase
Nov
04
2021
Marriott is offering a 45% bonus on purchased points through December 8 when buying at least 2000 points. Marriott co-brand cardmembers can take advantage of the offer through December 15, 2021.
A simple math exercise shows when you’re better off buying versus transferring (and why in most cases you’re better off doing neither).
Delta Guts International Upgrades, Top Elites Only Get Confirmed Into Premium Economy
Nov
04
2021
Delta is gutting confirmed international upgrades awarded to top elite customers. Top tier SkyMiles Diamond members can select confirmed global upgrades as a ‘choice benefit’. These have moved a customer on a coach ticket to business class on any Delta flight where upgrade space is available.
However starting February 1, 2022 that’s changing.
NOW OPEN! Inside Capital One’s First Airport Lounge: Dallas – Fort Worth
Nov
04
2021
I had the opportunity to visit the very first Capital One airport lounge at Dallas – Fort Worth on Wednesday, a couple of weeks before opening. This is a great space, really thoughtfully designed with a lot of details built-in. They’ve invested a lot, and what impressed me most was the food which wasn’t just ‘good for an airport lounge’ but genuinely good. I’m hoping it scales and is sustainable, because you’re going to want to check it out.
United Sent A Remarkable, Trolling Email To Customers
Nov
04
2021
Delta’s operation melted down over last year’s holidays. Southwest has melted down over lack of crew. American melted down over the summer without enough pilots and then at the end of October without enough flight attendants. And now everyone’s worried about holiday travel with the government requiring airlines to have their employees vaccinated – with deadlines coming up.
United Airlines sent out a remarkable email, both for its candor and effectiveness but also for the way it brutally subtweeted these competitors. Under CEO Scott Kirby’s signature, United obliquely references news of airline meltdowns and says in effect ‘this won’t happen to us.’
Passengers Riot After Flight Diversion And Long Delay
Nov
03
2021
On Monday, a Gol flight from São Paulo Guarulhos airport to Minas Gerais in Brazil took off but wound up diverting back to São Paulo due to weather.
Passengers got frustrated with a lack of help getting rebooked, and facing spending the night where they started. And they started to riot.
Marriott Bonvoy Is Cashflow Negative This Year – And That’s Expected To Continue
Nov
03
2021
Marriott got cash up front during the pandemic by extending their co-brand deals. Banks gave them money early, and so that money isn’t coming in now. They’ve “effectively repa[id] one third of the $920 million received in 2020” so far and Marriott “continue[s] to anticipate modestly negative cashflows from loyalty” because of these deals.
Flying To Europe Using Miles – Without Getting Stuck On A U.S. or European Airline
Nov
03
2021
Prompted by my writing about wide open availability for two first class Suites awards on the Singapore Airlines New York JFK – Frankfurt flight, a reader asks about other ‘fifth freedom routes’ between the U.S. and Europe.
They wanted to fly between the U.S. and Europe on an Asian or Middle Eastern carrier and wanted to know what their options looked like using miles for the best seats possible.
