News and notes from around the interweb:

• Fine print undermines Hilton’s new direct booking discount

• No more 2016 Gold elite cards from Delta, sorry!

• Why Boeing jets start with the number 7

• Why airlines can’t ignore the power of social capital seekers

• Stephanie Rosenbloom‘s New York Times column on Basic Economy fares. She carries my admonition that they not follow Delta’s footsteps ruling out upgrades (and British Airways’ hand baggage only fares):

  For elites, the restrictions already implemented by Delta on such seats seems to send a message: We value your loyalty— sometimes.

  “Delta’s elite frequent fliers need to shout from the rooftops, ‘I am not my fare,’” wrote Gary Leff, an air travel expert and author of the blog, View From the Wing. “I am a valued customer, or I am not, and how welcome I’m made to feel should not change between Tuesday on a full fare and Thursday on a discount one when I’m buying a ticket pretty much every week.”

• American’s new plan for Flagship lounges, dining, and Admirals Clubs has a video:

Incidentally I’m told the new Admirals Club at Houston Bush Intercontinental will be by gate A25, and the Orlando club will be at gates 52-53.