The Virgin Atlantic Redemption Trap: Why Roundtrip Awards Are a Huge Mistake [Roundup]

News and notes from around the interweb:

  • Never book Virgin Atlantic redemptions as a roundtrip changes to one direction forces a reprice of both directions. Also, it appears there’s never saver availability anymore within 28 days of departure.

  • From Spirit Airlines, non-fuel unit costs across the industry

  • Singapore Airlines will serve 2018 Piper-Heidsieck in business class vintage champagne outside of first is not common!

  • The five most influential airlines in history I’d actually put Delta on this list for the role they’ve played in the industry for more than a decade, with airlines around the world copying them for no reason other than an assumption that they’re smarter, and for their investment in international airlines that’s extended their reach.

  • Hertz no show fee for non-prepaid reservations

  • “Even the mice are disgusted”

  • Etihad will launch Atlanta flights July 2. This Abu Dhabi service gets them out ahead of eventual Riyadh Air and Delta flying to Saudi Arabia.

    When Qatar first launched Atlanta, the airline found a hostile environment from the airport which operates as a subsidiary of Delta, but back then Delta was in the midst of a crusade against Middle Eastern state-backed airlines. They lost that fight, have now taken even bigger subsidies themselves, and will be partnering with a deep-pocketed Gulf state-backed carrier. How times have changed!

About Gary Leff

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 »

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Comments

  1. What American lounge has the mice? That should be reported immediately to the health department.

  2. About the five most influential airlines, most could probably fit but I find Qantas kind of weak. I understand why it is there since the article is from The Telegraph in the UK and Australia is a former colony. I would argue that an airline from the rest of Europe that flew to many international destination should be on the list instead such as KLM or Air France (or even Aeroflot.)

  3. @ Gary — The Hertz fee doesn’t seem like a big deal unless your flight is severely delayed. In that case, Hertz supposedly knows from your flight information that your flight is delayed. Then again, this is Hertz, so….

  4. At this point I don’t even care about food or drinks anymore. Just give me a big quiet space I can relax in with power outlets and clean private bathrooms.

  5. The only list Delta belongs on is Ten Worst Airlines, occupying all ten slots.

  6. I’d say that Avianca or KLM might be among the five most influential airlines ever but the list is pretty accurate as is.

  7. I remember Delta’s full-throated attack of Qatar Airlines for being government subsidized.
    They had ads on the radio. Huge signs in the city.

    Then they quietly and very willingly got a boat-load of money from the US Gov’t, but it’s now OK….

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