Jul
20
2015
The Parable of the Happy Meal. We all want free fries and a drink. Yet there’s no such thing as free fries.
Checked Bag Fees: the Parable of the McDonald’s Happy Meal
About Gary Leff
Crackdown on Throwaway Ticket Savings Strategies, Amazing Time Lapse Video, and Don’t Make Bomb Jokes!!
Jul
20
2015
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
And the Next American Express Centurion Lounge Will Be… Houston!
Jul
20
2015
The American Express lease was approved at the June 17 Houston City Council meeting. The lounge is slated for opening “in the first half of 2016.”
American Express is spending $7 million to build out 8596 square feet in Houston Intercontinental’s Terminal D that’s the old immigration hall.
The Houston lounge will feature full complimentary food and beverage offerings. There will be a family room and there will be a shower facility. Unlike Dallas and Miami, though, there won’t be a spa.
Here’s What a British Airways “Yellow Card” Warning Looks Like — Before They Ban You From Flying (and Call the Police)
Jul
20
2015
British Airways started giving out ‘yellow card’ warnings to unruly customers got a bunch of attention again with BA’s introduction of these warnings for ‘ground rage’ in the fall of 2002. Apparently they believed they had a problem of customers losing their stuff even before they board.
Here’s How Much Your Miles are Worth — and How to Use That Information
Jul
20
2015
The value of miles: “I am interested in what you do with that number: how does it influence when you use cash vs points, how does it effect which card you choose, etc?”
American Imposes New Restriction on Same Day Flight Changes
Jul
19
2015
American Airlines has updated its same day confirmed change policy and not for the better.
Turkish Airlines: Things That Make You Go Hmmm
Jul
19
2015
Turkish Airlines made perhaps the world’s biggest bet on premium economy. And some of their Airbus planes have a couple of inches more legroom in economy than US airlines do.
What’s more, when an itinerary contains a forced layover in Istanbul, Turkish will provide a free hotel night even for economy passengers. A work colleague was given the Radisson Blu at the airport when flying economy to and from Eastern Europe.
American is Testing the Sale of “Extended Hold” Reservations
Jul
19
2015
American is testing offering ‘extended hold’ options for sale on reservations.
American will only charge for the extended hold after 24 hours, so if you select extended hold but purchase or cancel within 24 hours you won’t be charged for the optional hold.
They’re hardly first to this party, it’s been offered by other airlines including United. This is actually something I like to see — it’s added fees, but for something that wasn’t already offered free, it’s truly optional, and it’s added value.
You Can Ask American Airlines to Release Award Seats For You
Jul
19
2015
Reader Stephen asked, “Can you ask AA to open saver level award space on a domestic leg of an international trip?”
He found Japan Airlines first class award space Los Angeles – Tokyo but wasn’t able to include the Houston – Los Angeles flight that he needed as part of his award.
There are two circumstances in which you can ask American Airlines to release award space, and this is one of those times.
The End of American Airlines Skycaps at 38 Airports, and What Position Goes Next
Jul
19
2015
American Airlines eliminated curbside check-in at 38 airports May 1. (It’s still offered at 26 airports including American hubs.)
Are skycaps still needed? I’ve only needed them once, and then I really needed it… but that was, ironically enough, US Airways’ fault.
The logic of eliminating skycaps may next apply to another position at American Airlines…
