News and notes from around the interweb:
- Private jet company is now doing 20% of its business in Bitcoin. Janet Yellen says bitcoin is only for illegal transactions, but it’s basically a more convenient form of cash that you can’t really counterfeit, governments don’t want cash transactions either but in much of the world we do want people transacting without government surveillance think China and Iran.
Of course the rise in use of bitcoin as a payment mechanism may stem simply from the rise in price of bitcoin, lots of newly very wealthy people have lots of it (not to mention there may be tax benefits in the valuation by spending it directly versus selling it for government currency). Yellen’s criticisms of course are very US-centric, in much of the world it’s a tool that can build trust between counterparties.
- United Airlines starts painting planes again
- There are so many great properties on Bali I don’t know when I’ll prioritize this one, but excited to see how it shapes up.
First look at the soon-to-be-opened Andaz Bali as viewed from Sanur beach, looking into the property. Opening date is slated to be April 9, 2021 according to the security guy. @garyleff @OneMileataTime @LiveandLetsFly @LoyaltyLobby @NickatFM pic.twitter.com/M5ad6R6MAz
— Roni Walakandou (@roniwalakandou) February 17, 2021
- Interesting view. I’m certain this is not how he means it, but could easily be read as the key to loyalty marketing success is platitudes (“human connection is about letting them know you’re on the journey together”) not backed by substance (“people are not loyal to businesses because of the perks or benefits”). Avoid that trap and there’s insight here.
- Why the Maldives was successful seeing ‘only’ a 70% drop in tourism in 2020 each resort on its own island, on-resort testing, and there’s very little indoor congregating other than in guests’ own villas.
- Etihad and Gulf Air signed a strategic agreement to coordinate flights, somewhat ironic because Etihad was born out of a dispute between the partner nations who owned Gulf Air with Abu Dhabi going its own way and Gulf Air closing its hub there. Etihad in recent years has seen itself less and less as a standalone global carrier.
What a load of crap from that loyalty guy
Anybody that thinks large airlines or hotel chains care about the individual and provide a “human connection” is a fool, and so is that guy
The Hyatt Regency Bali on Sanur beach is pretty nice and a stunning value at category 2. The Andaz is pretty much next door in an area with good walking options.
Did Abu Dhabi midfield ever open? I found articles from Nov 2019 saying it was nearing opening, but of course, that’s not long before SARS-CoV-2 struck and changed the world.
Saw a similar example of neglected UA livery in SJU.in early Jan:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0ygo7bua9fry0f1/IMG_5811.jpg?dl=0
Wait.
That Ross-Smith guy.
When he first started writing his own pieces a few months ago, one of the first pieces he wrote was all about the benefits of using Big Data to unlock hidden value in customer loyalty programs.
Now he’s spinning a word salad — he’s a “synergy” away from Buzzword Bingo — that tells us big data is bad.
This non-sensical shotgunning is words together is what leads companies to dumpster fires like Bonvoy.
There’s a reason this guy is on the outside (i.e. not running a loyalty program). We’re he a legit talent somebody would make him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
‘(not to mention there may be tax benefits in the valuation by spending it directly versus selling it for government currency)’
For US taxpayers, if Bitcoin is exchanged for $$, tax should still be due on any capital gains.
@Jon F – yes that is my point, exchanging for goods creates an easier opportunity to lower the value received
To clarify my earlier comment,. tax is due for US taxpayers whether you sell bitcoin or whether you swap it for something else.
@Jon F – agreed, but in the case of an in-kind exchange the value received and thus any gain may be less clear