A rideshare driver allegedly used AI to fake car damage, but left the logo in the photo. Also: Jessica Simpson’s first class while her kids sit in coach explanation, another Hyatt devaluation surprise, and American’s broken first-class tray tables.
Delta Amex cardholders may soon get a second free checked bag on domestic flights, according to JonNYC. It could put Amex ahead of most airline cobrands and give a new reason for SkyMiles members to convert to the card.
An Air France flight from Paris to Detroit diverted to Montreal after passengers were told U.S. authorities refused landing over a “virus” concern. Crew reportedly put on masks, onboard service stopped, and the diversion comes just as the CDC has started enhanced screening and entry restrictions tied to Ebola-related outbreaks in East and Central Africa.
A sinkhole found during LaGuardia’s morning airfield inspection shut down Runway 4/22, leaving the airport to run all traffic on its only other runway. By Wednesday afternoon, LaGuardia was leading the world in cancellations, with about 20% of flights canceled amidst thunderstorms as crews worked to determine how quickly the runway could reopen.
Self-tagging a bag should mean the airline has removed the bottleneck. Instead, passengers can print their own tags in two minutes and still stand in line for an hour just to hand the bag to an employee — a completely unnecessary failure when automated bag drop already exists and some airlines do use it.
A Marriott guest used mobile check-in, arrived at the Fairfield Inn East Hartford, and found the hotel closed — with other would-be guests standing in the parking lot too. And Marriott’s Ultimate Reservation Guarantee does not apply when the hotel is not open, which is exactly when guests need it most.
Airlines say flight attendants are there primarily for safety, not service. But in an American Airlines teen death case, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed crew confusion and delay during a cardiac arrest on an international flight, saying what matters is whether the FAA-required defibrillator actually worked.
Global Airlines promised a luxury Airbus A380 revival across the Atlantic. Instead, its one used A380 is parked in storage, the airline still lacks the licenses needed to operate scheduled service, and now one of its most credible backers — OnlyFans co-founder Tom Stokely — has left the board.
Drug gangs are switching baggage tags onto drug-filled suitcases, leaving innocent passengers to get arrested for smuggling when the bags are intercepted. Plus: American’s “duct tape class,” Houston’s Centurion Lounge expansion, and calls to split FAA’s regulator and air traffic control roles.
Hyatt told members they could still book free nights before the new award prices kicked in. Then, as members rushed to use points before the deadline, Hyatt’s website and app started failing — turning a devaluation into a rug pull.
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 »
