Aug
15
2018
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.
Free AARP Membership and United’s Michelin Stars
About Gary Leff
Frequent Flyer Program for Sale: Blackstone May Buy Stake in Jet Airways JetPrivilege
Aug
15
2018
While both Etihad and Jet Airways would retain stakes in the program after a deal with Blackstone it’s not clear the relative shares each party would give up. For Etihad even a partial sale would them out of their worldwide expansion, which they’ve retrenched from after losing their shirts in Alitalia and air berlin. For Jet Airways it would provide them desperately-needed cash.
Reportedly the deal would value the program at $429 – $569 billion, which is 43% – 90% higher than in 2013. At the same time though membership in the program has grown 220% during that period so its value would be lower on a per-member basis.
Report: 60,000 Mile Inflight Offer for AAdvantage Card Ends This Month
Aug
15
2018
At the beginning of the month Barclays increased the offer on its AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard to 60,000 bonus miles after first purchase in the first 90 days and paying the card’s $95 annual fee (the fee on this card is not waived the first year).
These are the cards flight attendants advertise onboard American. ComputerPlayerOne says flight attendants have been told this offer will last through August 31.
American Briefly Showed Award Space Online For Four New Partners, But They’ve Pulled It
Aug
15
2018
Last night American Airlines started showing some award space online for Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar, and SriLankan. That’s been pulled and is no longer available.
American Says They Have a Problem With Premium Revenue. Will They Fix It?
Aug
15
2018
At a meeting between American Airlines employees and airline President Robert Isom last week, a sim instructor asked whether – with higher fuel prices – there’s an ‘industry initiative to increase fares’ to compensate. Isom explains that American is lagging behind on premium revenue.
However he thinks that premium economy will drive higher performance, and that basic economy and segmentation will “offer our customers what they want to buy, trying to encourage that move up the ladder” and that this will fix things.
Really Clever Fake Free Airline Ticket Scam That’s Easy to Fall For
Aug
15
2018
No one offers a free airline ticket for answering three questions and sharing the (scam) offer with friends.
Anyone offering something for free but asking you for a credit card to claim your prize is suspect. However scammers are getting good at making themselves look like the brands you know and maybe even trust.
American Makes 4 More Partners Available for Online Award Booking
Aug
14
2018
American appears to have at least partially added the ability to book awards online with four more partners: Cathay Pacific, Qatar, SriLankan, and Malaysia Airlines.
Chase Eliminating Korean Air as Transfer Partner August 25
Aug
14
2018
Chase shared with me that Ultimate Rewards would no longer partner with Korean Air SkyPass after August 24. You have through August 24 to make these transfers.
American Reveals Its Plans and Challenges With Airbus A321s
Aug
14
2018
American Airlines is a big operator of Boeing 737s, a workhorse of the domestic fleet. But they’re also a big operator of Airbus narrowbodies, including the larger A321 version. There are 121 Legacy US Airways A321s, and there are 98 legacy American Airlines A321s.
The airline also has 100 A321 ‘neo’ or ‘new engine option’ planes on order. And at an employee forum last week American’s management shared their plans for these A321neos, as well as plans to update the interiors of existing A321 aircraft in the fleet.
Successful Lawsuits Against Airlines for Failing to Board Your Kosher Meal, Not Letting You Sell Miles and More
Aug
14
2018
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.
