There’s a tremendous interdependence between US airlines (which don’t service the vast route network in India and surrounding countries that the Gulf airlines do) and Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar. That’s why JetBlue is so strongly in favor of Gulf carrier route expansion. Gulf airlines actually plan their routes around bringing passengers to and from US airlines. None benefit more than American Airlines…
Hilton is offering to sell HHonors points at the lowest price I’ve ever seen — half a cent per point. That’s actually a reasonable price, and one you can get a lot of value out of if you’re strategic.
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
F-15 fighters were scrambled “to escort an Air France plane bound for JFK airport” yesterday. There’s only one thing those fighters could have done. And that’s barely reported on.
I got to experience the strangest physical layout for a check-in experience I think I’ve come across — check in at one terminal, departure from a different terminal.
Virgin Australia uses the Star Alliance business class lounge, which features an outdoor deck and fire pits. A lovely way to start off a late night long haul departure…
I found myself at the Crystal Inn & Suites in Logan, Utah … with about 100 Future Farmers of America … where I discovered the surprisingly lucrative Crystal Rewards program.
The first level of elite status is getting harder to obtain, and less valuable to have. Airlines often value their credit card holders as much as first-tier elites. For folks who fly regularly but not enough for status, just getting the airline’s card (and not putting spending on it) may be the right strategy.
The Concourse Hotel used be the Radisson, is now managed by Hyatt, and is the closest property to LAX airport. It has a super-prompt and convenient shuttle. But man, does it need a refresh in at least the room I was assigned…
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
I first shared Singapore Airlines’ plan to reconfigure Boeing 777s to include a premium economy cabin a year ago. Unfortunately, that reconfiguration means cutting the number of first class seats in half on those 777s. Their A380s getting premium economy go from 12 first class, 60 business, and 399 coach (or 86 business, 311 coach) to 36 premium economy and 333 coach in the low-density business configuration or 36 premium economy and 245 coach in the high-density business configuration. Premium economy is coming at the expense of fewer coach seats. Their 777-300ERs getting premium economy go from 8 first class, 42 business, and 228 coach to 4 first class, 48 business, 28 premium economy, and 184 coach. That’s 10% more business class, half the first class, and 20% fewer economy seats to make room for…
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
