The US Airways Dividend Miles program has been folded into American AAdvantage. And now only Citibank has the right to issue new American AAdvantage personal (and small business) co-brand credit cards. Barclaycard used to issue the US Airways card. Existing Barclaycard US Airways MasterCard cardholders became Barclaycard American AAdvantage cardholders. Barclaycard can’t issue new accounts, but they can continue to service existing customers. And they have a suite of (4) personal cards to offer existing customers: Here’s a description of all four. Roughly speaking the two bottom tier cards are legacy offerings geared towards US Airways cardholders whose cards had been issued by Bank of America (a portfolio Barclaycard recently acquired). They’re meant to mirror the offerings those customers already had. Aviator Red is What Most Former US Airways Cardmembers Have, or Will Receive Most…
About Gary Leff
Is United About to Acquire 2 Airbus A380s?
Jun
02
2015
Could United really be looking to acquire 2 Airbus A380s originally destined for Japan’s Skymark Airlines? They’d certainly be getting the planes at a super deep discount..
Who Can Explain This Flight? But It’s Wide Open For Business Class Awards to Tahiti
Jun
02
2015
Air Tahiti Nui appears to be operating a flight from Dallas to Tahiti on one day only, and award seats are wide open in both economy and business class. It’s a very strange flight, and I cannot explain it.
Making Sense of the Virgin Airline Frequent Flyer Programs
Jun
01
2015
There are different ‘Virgin’ airlines and they each have different Virgin frequent flyer programs. What’s the difference? Which one should you belong to?
Hotel Chain CEOs Pick Their Favorite Hotels From Other Brands
Via Scott Mayerowitz, we learn that: Hilton’s CEO likes the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Accor’s CEO nominates the Andaz Amsterdam And Wyndham’s CEO says his favorite is the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris These answers were given at the NYU Hospitality Conference where hotel CEOs were also clearly on the side of the Middle East carriers in their dispute against United, Delta, and American. Hotel chains compete globally, including on service, so aren’t likely to be convinced by pleas for protectionism As Wyndham’s CEO noted, he’d rather fly @emirates @qatarairways @EtihadAirways over @AmericanAir @Delta @united The funny thing – at least to me – is that such a preference ought to be very aircraft-specific. Emirates has 10-abreast seating on their 777 (so does American, but not Delta or United). Emirates and Qatar have angled business class…
Hyatt’s Summer Promotion is Out and Everyone’s Earn is Different
Jun
01
2015
Hyatt Gold Passport is running a variety of targeted points-earning promotions, for stays over a four month period: June 1 through September 30 and called “Sweet Dreams Sweet Rewards” .. What was your offer?
Starwood Details Plan to Put Sheraton Brand Back on Top
Jun
01
2015
One of Starwood Hotels’ most enduring problems is the inconsistency and declining reputation of their flagship Sheraton brand. They’ve now detailed their 10 point plan to revitalize the brand by 2020. Here’s what they have in store.
Starwood Introducing Exciting Sheraton Free Weekend Night Promotion
Jun
01
2015
Starwood will be offering a promotion to earn a free Sheraton weekend night for every 5 nights you stay with Sheraton over nearly three months. All Sheratons will be eligible for earning and redemption, and the promotion will be stackable with other Starwood bonuses.
Predicting Plane Crashes, Anti-Noise Airport Art, and the Kenya Airways All-Female 787 Crew
Jun
01
2015
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
Malaysia Airlines: New Business Class Seats and Lounge Improvements Coming
Jun
01
2015
Malaysia Airlines has deep financial problems and is going through a restructuring. They’re largely focusing on regional routes rather than ultra long haul travel. And they’re offloading some aircraft and laying off thousands of staff to lower costs.
But they’re also going to introduce a new fully flat business class seat for their A330s and Boeing 777s. They’re also going to revamp their lounge strategy — closing some lounges, generating revenue through contracts with partners for access for others, and closing lounges as well.
