JetBlue founder David Neeleman says the airline could be pushed into bankruptcy this year if fuel prices stay elevated, and he does not think any major U.S. carrier wants to take on its debt.
Avis stock has quadrupled in just a month, not because the car rental business suddenly got better, but because the stock itself became dangerously scarce. Two large holders now effectively control more than 100% of the company through stock and swaps, leaving short sellers trapped in a market where the few shares left to buy back can be priced almost however the dominant owners want.
United Airlines has sharply narrowed who can use its Polaris lounges, cutting out most Star Alliance business class passengers while keeping access for its own premium customers and a small group of joint venture partners. The move makes sense if United is trying to control crowding ahead of more premium seats and new premium transcon access—but it’s a blow to Star Alliance business class customers.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey has added Wyndham as a 1:2 transfer partner,. For travelers looking for a better answer after Chase cut bonus rewards on Airbnb and cruises, this turns an already solid $95 card into a more useful option for getting outsized value from everyday travel spending.
Citi launched a new premium credit card into an already crowded market — and it’s getting a lot of attention. Between a 75,000-point bonus, transferable points including American Airlines, and credits that can be used twice in the first year, the value can easily exceed the card’s annual fee.
Spirit Airlines wants to exit bankruptcy for a second time, but the U.S. bankruptcy trustee says the airline still has not explained why its first restructuring failed so quickly or why creditors should believe this plan is any better. In order to wipe out shareholders and unsecured creditors again, it has to prove that shrinking the airline is a more credible path than selling it or liquidating what is left.
American Airlines turns 100 today with a lot still broken, but for the first time in years the airline is making visible moves that suggest it understands what customers actually value. From lounges and premium seats to small touches like pilot trading cards, the real story is not the centennial nostalgia—it is whether these early signs of progress mean American is finally serious about becoming an airline people want to choose again.
Democrats in Congress are warning that even if the Trump administration allowed a United-American merger to happen, a future administration could still try to unwind it after the fact. That turns any deal into something far messier than a normal merger fight, because approval would not necessarily end the legal and political risk.
Questions are being raised over whether LaGuardia runway collision alerts were tuned down before the Air Canada crash, plus Cancun airport drivers pushing for $20 tips, Hyatt Regency Kyoto set for demolition, Chase’s new La Colombe offer, and more.
Southwest Airlines has put a former United executive in charge of Rapid Rewards at a moment when the loyalty program is under pressure and redemptions have been falling. Her background suggests Southwest may push harder on personalization, partner revenue, and a more modern loyalty model—with changes that could go well beyond points for flights.
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 »
