Monthly Archives for March 2023.
The big co-brands have all become such expensive deals that only the biggest banks could swallow them. So your airline credit card isn’t going to disappear. And the big banks are also the only ones that have been able to afford to stand up their own rich transferable points programs which can outcompete airline cards.
Combined with a broad sense of bank fragility in the face of rising interest rates, alongside a concern that we’re late in the economic cycle and potentially headed into recession, United’s announcement worried some observers that it was a sign that consumer spending was tightening alongside shrinking household balance sheets.
But what changed at United? They cite some booking softness earlier in the year. And they made a decision to accrue costs related to a new pilot contract into the first quarter for their projections. Isn’t that… a little weird?
Before the pandemic United reduced the number of flight attendants working in business class, and started pre-plating their food. But here’s, finally, an explanation for why the food is actually bad.
The man, despite his state, makes an a point to the officers: why is it a problem to drink 3 margaritas when there’s a bar at the airport? I’d add that if the man committed a crime, surely it’s admitting to paying $2,000 for what is probably a domestic flight.
He resists arrest, and gets tased. But what’s priceless is the older male passenger in a mask approaching, trying to intervene?
American Airlines offers outstanding inflight WiFi service on its domestic fleet, though it does so while charging more money than any of its competitors. Delta, JetBlue, and JSX offer WiFi free, though it’s otherwise an $8 product – though frequently $20 for a flight at American.
The carrier’s international WiFi has been horrible, though.
Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration says they will revoke the alcohol license of the Hyatt Regency Miami over a “‘sexually explicit’ show with children” held on the premises.
Southwest Airlines is offering a 20% discount on award redemptions booked by 11:59 p.m. Central time on Thursday, March 16 for travel by May 24, 2023 with promo code SAVE20NOW.
Last month I broke the news, based on an Austin city permit that Chase would be opening a space in the Austin airport, an indoor-outdoor space next to the Delta Sky Club< which takes over the public outdoor deck. It's opening this month and will offer grab and go food. Chase has shared that the “Sapphire Terrace” will open March 20, and be available to Sapphire Reserve cardmembers departing from Austin (no access on arrival) and offer complimentary local beverages (“like cider from Austin Eastciders and beer from (512) Brewing Company as well as non-alcoholic beverages”). There will be “shuffleboard, a giveaway, and more” and “artwork from Austin artist and muralist Rex Hamilton that’s inspired by the vibrant colors and native flowers of Texas.” Sapphire Reserve cardmembers will be eligible to bring two guests. The…
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.
After a debacle years ago increasing award pricing without notice for travel on Emirates, Alaska Airlines made an express commitment to notify members in advance when making changes to the program.
Sadly they did not do that this week, as Monday they increased the price of award travel on their oneworld partner Japan Airlines, and they did this without any advance notice. So members who were saving their miles for a specific trip had the rug pulled out from under them.
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 »
