May
24
2019
As soon as I saw the story of the man who was charged $4600 for a one night stay at a Holiday Inn my immediate reaction was… Expedia.
How the Craziest Resort Fee Ever Was Made Worse By Expedia
About Gary Leff
Airline Seats Imitate the Onion and Delta Subtweets American
May
24
2019
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Austin Airport Now Has a New Outdoor Deck Open to All Passengers
May
24
2019
At the very end of the terminal by gates 1 and 2, the new wing of the airport that just opened, is a Delta SkyClub. It’s a fantastic space. But maybe the best secret of the airport is that if you head up the elevator or walk up the stairs to the SkyClub there’s also a public space that any passenger can use.
There’s indoor seating, sort of a public use lounge, that’s outside of the club entrance. And just like the new SkyClub has an outdoor deck, the airport has a public use deck as well that’s even larger. Facing the east runway, it’s a Central Texas aviation geek’s dream.
The 737 MAX Could Be Re-Certified in June, Fly Again This Summer
May
24
2019
The US government is ready to see the 737 MAX re-certified by the end of June — mere weeks from now, as American Airlines CEO Doug Parker predicted. Whether or not that happens may depend on getting some other world agencies to go along. They won’t likely have unanimity, and won’t hold themselves to that standard. But I imagine they’ll hold off until they get Europe and Canada, though not China, to sign off with them.
Once that happens it will take time for airlines to go through steps to bring the plane back into their schedule, which makes cancellations through mid-August taken weeks ago by US carriers seem wise — and suggests that the process to bring the MAX back to the skies is proceeding as expected.
New York EDITION Hotel Using Marriott Points
May
24
2019
Last month I needed a hotel not far from Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood for a date night with my wife. It’s largely devoid of decent properties, but it turns out The Robey in Wicker Park is really quite nice. It was my first stay at a Design Hotel.
This past week I needed a night in Manhattan and I almost always choose my hotel based on location. I had an evening where I needed to be in Chelsea followed by a morning meeting by the Empire State Building. Prices in Manhattan were sky high, so I opted for a reward stay at the New York EDITION. It was my first EDITION property.
In both cases Marriott Bonvoy had me covered. Goodness knows I’ve had my frustrations with the program but they do have nice hotels in the places I’ve needed to be that are more convenient than what competitors are offering.
American Airlines Catered My Flight From a Restaurant Inside the Terminal
May
23
2019
My American Airlines flight from Austin to Chicago was delayed 5 hours on Tuesday. The plane was there, skies were clear, and though American had just sued their mechanics the day before there were no maintenance issues. Instead we didn’t have a crew.
I was up front for the flight and I wondered how the planned 8:15 a.m. flight would be catered. Usually when my morning flights have been delayed past noon we’ve still been served breakfast.
Discounted Business Class Awards on Airbnb Website
May
23
2019
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Punk Rock Band Says El Al Gave Them Middle Seats After Displaying Palestinian Flag Colors
May
23
2019
Icelandic punk rock band Hatari was flying Tel Aviv – London on El Al after performing in the ‘strictly non-political’ Eurovision Song Contest where they held banners that said “Palestine” in the colors of the Palestinian flag while voting was announced. And in a possibly related matter they wound up assigned to middle seats in the back of their aircraft.
What’s the Best Wallet for Someone With Tons of Credit Cards?
May
23
2019
My wallet has a bunch of credit cards sitting behind credit cards. It has my drivers license, office security access card, and Priority Pass cards. That doesn’t even begin to cover it though because I’ve got my insurance cards, AAA card, and some business cards too.
Overstuffing – and simply using – a wallet wears it out faster. I don’t like investing a ton of money in a wallet because it’s simply not going to last the way I use it.
American’s Battle With Mechanics Could Become the Most “Vicious Strike Action..the Likes of Which You’ve Never Seen”
May
23
2019
The Transportation Workers Union has posted a piece of video from Tuesday’s LaGuardia airport employee question and answer session with American’s President Robert Isom, where the union President goes off on an extended rant.
He declares that the situation may “erupt[..] into the bloodiest ugliest battle that the United States labor movement ever saw that’s what’s gonna happen” and suggests that “if we ever get to the point where there’s self-help we are gonna engage in absolutely vicious strike action against American Airlines the likes of which you’ve never seen.”
