New and notes from around the interweb:
- Air New Zealand admits using deceptive sales tactics on their website
- New Priority Pass lounge for the Miami E gates
- American Express is facing record expenses for credit card rewards
American Express Co. is learning how expensive it is to keep an airline happy.
AmEx has been focused on rolling out new cards with many of its larger co-brand partners, and renewed its deal with its largest one, Delta Air Lines Inc., in April. That helped push spending on cardholder rewards to a record $2.65 billion in the second quarter, topping the $2.64 billion average of analysts’ estimates.
- Man climbs onto a plane’s wing at the Lagos airport to hitch a ride
- I just can’t help re-sharing my all-time favorite miles and points television commercial, even though they’re talking up redeeming points for merchandise which you should almost never do.
The Air New Zealand story reminds me of something I would love to know. Could Marriott be doing this same thing? More and more frequently I see “Almost Sold out” on rooms when I look even 10 or 11 months in advance. I just don’t believe it. It definitely adds a level of pressure. Very interesting.
@Patrick — Just book refundable rates, and then it really doesn’t matter if they are lying.
Jerry Lambert in those circa 2008 Holiday Inn commercials….brilliant stuff…watch the others
@Gary – did I miss your post about AMEX stripping non- lounges from its Priority Pass memberships? That’s a pretty big deal for me as I use that benefit in MIA/FLL regularly. Guess that’s why they’re cutting it. Makes PP of limited value domestically.
@TheJetsFan – I was actually first with that story! https://viewfromthewing.com/2019/05/28/starting-august-1-u-s-american-express-issued-priority-pass-cards-will-no-longer-give-airport-restaurant-credit/
Remember to “garden” your reservations, don’t set and forget. A lot can change in hotel and car rental rates.
Um, did I miss something? Amex released new airline cards?