Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for April 2023.

Plus-Sized Influencer Demands Free Extra Seats From Airlines

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2023

A change.org petition from plus-sized activist and influencer Jaelynn Chaney demanding that the FAA require airlines to offer multiple seats for free to passengers who don’t fit into a standard seat is gaining thousands of signatures.

She reports that on a United Express regional jet flight from Pasco, Washington to Denver she was “subjected to hateful comments” which is sad, and she had just a single seat with immovable armrests on another flight which was very uncomfortable. And so she wants FAA action.

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[LAUNCHES MAY 10] JetBlue Introducing New 4-Level Elite Program, Plus Start Earning Benefits Before Achieving Status

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2023

I love the choice benefits. I love that more activity than just flying counts towards status. And they’ve simplified elites receiving confirmed extra legroom seats. They’re finally introducing meaningful elite upgrades as well. Since benefits aren’t really based on waitlist or status priority, though, higher tiers seem a bit thin to me. 15,000 bonus points as a choice benefit at each level helps a little bit, but I’d like to see higher bonus point amounts at higher tiers.

Still, the path to Mosaic 1 is rich enough that I’m not bothered by requiring $50,000 in credit card spend to get there (and it’s about right at $5000 in travel spend). At the same time I don’t love the revenue-based rather than trip-based nature of the new program for those who do earn status by flying. I think they get plaudits for trying something interesting, even if they’re not first down this path. And they’re offering richer benefits than they ever have before.

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LifeMiles Transfer Issues Have Been Fixed

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2023

Avianca LifeMiles is a popular Star Alliance frequent flyer program for U.S. members because they sell miles inexpensively on a regular basis, and because you can transfer points into their program from several different credit card currencies. They have generally reasonable redemption pricing and no fuel surcharges, though getting customer service when things go wrong can be challenging at times. There was a problem many members were experiencing this month where points would be transferred to the LifeMiles program, it would look to the bank program that the miles transfer went through, but account balances didn’t update. The program says this is solved. Daniel Paredes from LifeMiles shares with me that, The issue was related to some members who transferred points from other loyalty programs (such as Amex Rewards, Citi Thankyou Points, etc) to LifeMiles…

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Marriott Makes It Easier To Gift Reward Nights To Friends And Family

by Gary Leff

outside marriott hotel
Apr 17 2023

Marriott made it harder and harder to use your points. Some readers thought they just wanted to make it difficult to use your points so that you wouldn’t but that isn’t actually true. The people at Marriott worried about fraud (especially after major data breaches at the chain) gained the upper hand over anyone that cared about the loyalty of their best customers trying to use their points.

The last thing I ever want when redeeming points for my wife’s travel, though, is worrying over whether or not she’ll be able to check in!

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Union Activist Blasts Delta Air Lines For Serving Starbucks. Leave Politics Out Of My Coffee!

by Gary Leff

Apr 16 2023

Now, the idea that Starbucks somehow signals quality is strange. And the brand alone doesn’t matter most, when United served Starbucks it was a special light brew because too many passengers were overwhelmed by deeper flavors. They worked to serve the lowest common denominator taste. But any issue you may have with Delta now serving Starbucks should really be about would you like a cup of it on board?

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Customers Getting Scammed Calling Fake Airline Phone Numbers (Even Amex Gives Out The Fakes)

by Gary Leff

older gentleman taking a selfie with smartphone
Apr 16 2023

A passenger bought Singapore Airlines tickets online and then decided to call their U.S. customer service line to change their seat assignments. They looked up the number on their American Express statement underneath the charge, since they happened to be logged into the Amex website, and came up with 800-742-3333. The agent picked up right away and informed them a seat change costs $200.

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