Aug
23
2016
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.
The Future of Credit Card Rewards and Airline Legroom in a GIF
About Gary Leff
Up to 5000 Bonus American Miles on Top of Normal Earning for 3 Day Avis Rentals
Aug
22
2016
You can earn 2500 or 5000 bonus miles on top of usual rental car eearnings when crediting Avis or Budget rentals to American AAdvantage through rentals beginning October 15.
After writing this blog for 14 years, if there’s one thing I know it’s that almost no one cares about car rentals. And I continue to believe that this is a mistake, at least along certain margins. And not only when you can earn 9,999 Delta SkyMiles per one-day rental either.
Easy Game to Enter Daily for Free Starpoints, and Starwood’s Next Promotion
Aug
22
2016
Starwood’s fall promotion is More For You which will give you double points on weekday stays and triple points on stays that include a Friday or Saturday (Thursday or Friday in the Middle East) between September 12 and December 18th once you register and stay two or more nights with the chain. Registration won’t open until September 12.
The promotion isn’t super-generous but fear not, there’s at least something fun.
Aspen Airport Now Offers Marijuana-Only Disposal Bins: Keeps You From Breaking Federal Law and Airport Employees Happy
Aug
22
2016
Although marijuana is legal only in some states, and for medicinal purposes in more, pot remains illegal under federal law (but where it’s legal there are even loyalty programs with reefer-a-friend bonuses). You have to clear a federal checkpoint to fly commercial. And the TSA (T)akes (S)tinkweed (A)way.
Colorado Springs airport installed amnesty boxes so that passengers could leave their weed rather than break the law. This is, in essence, free pot for airport employees. And the practice has spread to the Aspen airport where they offer Pot Only waste bins.
How British Airways Could Turn into Spirit Airlines and How One State Will Undermine Uber
Aug
22
2016
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.
Waldorf=Astoria Jerusalem No Longer Plays Games With Award Availability
Aug
22
2016
A couple of months ago Dan’s Deals wrote about the limited options some chains have in Jerusalem, how the Waldorf=Astoria Jerusalem is probably the nicest property, but that they were playing games with award availability. At one point there were no award rooms available for six months. Then there were no award rooms for Thursday and Friday nights. He quoted a hotel manager saying that the room type for awards was made available only midweek, and that the option was “CLOSED on High season.” I read the post and reached out to the folks at Hilton HHonors. Hilton doesn’t have blackout dates or capacity controls. When a standard room is available for sale, it should be available on points. But what about hotels playing games with their revenue inventory? Hotels aren’t supposed to do this.…
Is It Bad Business for Airlines to Stick It To Their Customers So Badly?
Aug
21
2016
As airlines try to pacify Wall Street by squeezing customers, they may actually be leaving revenue on the table.
That’s because caring about customers matters for an airline’s bottom line. It’s no accident that Alaska Airlines has one of the best operating margins of any airline in the world.
TSA Agents Ran Through Terminal, Screaming About a Bomb and Shooting Victim
Aug
21
2016
During the false alarm of a supposed shooter at New York JFK’s terminal 8, which may have been caused by passengers clapping at Usain Bolt’s Olympic win, how did the TSA do?
Report: Marriott Hoping to Back Out of Starwood Merger
Aug
21
2016
A deal almost never looks as good as it does the day it’s announced. The longer it takes to close, the more naysayers, the more critical analysis, and more tarnished details emerge. There’s more opportunity for buyer’s remorse, and for conditions which suggested a merger was a good idea to change.
The New York Post is reporting that the high cost to pacify Starwood’s customers combing the Starwood Preferred Guest program with Marriott Rewards, combined with the approval delay by Chinese regulators, is causing Marriott to second guess the merger.
AMAZING AIRFARE: Several US Cities to Dubai from $508 Roundtrip
Aug
20
2016
United and Air Canada have a fare between several US cities and Dubai that starts at $508 roundtrip. Travel is via Toronto on Air Canada.
You can fly from Newark, Washington DC (Dulles or National), Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, and possibly other cities as well.
