The following question about aircraft blankets was tweeted at me a few days ago: So I asked American Airlines what their procedure is. Here’s what they said: We have verified that AA does not ever fold a blanket, and we do not ever place used blankets or pillows back into a sealed wrapper. We have procedures to replace these used items with fresh ones throughout our system and throughout the course of an aircraft’s flying day. For example, here at DFW such used items are pulled from an aircraft by our contractors and sent to an industrial cleaning facility in South Arlington. They in turn launder these, seal and re-supply our inventory. This is all contractual and there is oversight to ensure procedures are adhered to. (Emphasis mine.) It’s a disgusting story. And we all…
About Gary Leff
40,000 US Airways Miles for $89 And How Long You Have Time to Act
There have been so many offers for the US Airways MasterCard, each slightly different, and often disappearing that I realize I’ve made some mistakes in my recommendations. I’ve pointed some readers to a 35,000 mile signup bonus after first purchase with $89 annual fee. But I realized this morning while writing about getting priority boarding on US Airways that there’s an offer for 40,000 miles after first purchase with that same $89 annual fee. It’s the best offer for the card that I know of. The card is marketing as ‘up to 50,000 bonus miles’ but 40,000 come after first purchase, the other 10,000 are generated by a costly balance transfer that you don’t want to take advantage of. I think this card is a great idea. There’s likely only about a year left to…
The Most Important Tip to Improve Your Rental Car Experience
This is so simple I’m almost embarrassed to lead with it, but it’s really important: Join a rental car company’s frequent renter program. I’m not going to tell you that it will get you Porsches or Lamborghinis. It will get you out of the lot faster. And it will help ensure you actually have a vehicle. You won’t have paperwork to do There will likely be a car pre-assigned to you, certainly ahead of those that aren’t part of the program I’m so spoiled by this, I’ve forgotten what it’s like to rent without a frequent renter number attached. I’ve rented mostly from Avis for years, and more recently from National. That means getting in a car and driving away, stopping only to verify your license (or, frustratingly with National, your credit card each time…
8 Things a United Elite Can Do Now That US Airways Is No Longer a Partner
A well-known DC-based reader asks what to do when flying US Airways now that his lifetime United status won’t get him elite privileges. My wife and I are United Premier Gold (for life via my [Million-miler status]) but we frequently fly from DCA to Sarasota on US Airways. She by herself more than I. Now that USAirways is no longer Star Alliance, we have lost our early boarding privileges, which are so valuable to avoid [gate] checking bags… Is there a credit card option that enhances boarding for her, me and us together when used to buy tickets? Any other ways to gain earlier boarding? (We are both Global Entry so we don’t need any privileges for security.) My recommendation is for you each to separately sign up for a US Airways MasterCard, the bonus…
United Gives Free Checked Bags Again to Star Alliance Silver Members
United used to give Star Alliance elite members really outstanding treatment — including economy plus seating for Gold members and a generous checked baggage allowance for Golds and Silvers. Long after economy plus extra legroom seating went away, Star Alliance Silver members lost their second free checked bag in March 2011. Star Alliance Gold members were reduced from 3 checked bags to 1, and down from 70 pounds each to 50 in October 2013. At the same time Star Alliance silver members had free checked bags taken away from them entirely Now the United baggage fee details page has been updated to show once again that Star Alliance Silver members — frequent flyers with the lowest-tier status level of their airline alliance partners — will get a free checked bag when flying United. Oddly, then,…
10% Off Virgin America Flights – Book Today Only
Book today and discount code MAY10 takes 10% off all non-refundable fares (including their various classes of service) for travel every day except Sunday between April 29 and May 21.
W Union Square New York: Good Enough for the Neighborhood
I do realize that lukewarm titles are the worst thing you can do when writing a blog. But that’s more or less the way I come away feeling after a one night stay at the W Union Square. It was a very serviceable hotel, generally clean and comfortable, and the staff were friendly. The room wasn’t cheap but it wasn’t outrageous by New York standards either, and it was very convenient for where I wanted to be that evening. In similar circumstances, I would return. New York City hotels are priced pretty high, though there are some reasonably decent hotels that can represent a good value. I love the Andaz 5th Avenue, of course. Since the last thing I was doing Wednesday night was the Amex Everyday launch party and I had a morning flight…
What’s Wrong With The Supreme Court Limiting Your Ability to Sue a Frequent Flyer Program?
The Supreme Court ruled this week that complaints against frequent flyer programs, that seek to impose an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing when pursued in state courts, are pre-empted by the Airline Deregulation Act. You can’t just sue a frequent flyer program and say that terms like an airline’s ability to deliver – or not deliver – benefits at its discretion isn’t reasonable. I won’t express an opinion on whether a state’s implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing is an additional requirement imposed on contracts, or a frame with which to understand what contracts say. Nor will I express an opinion on what it would mean to pursue in state courts remedies only permitted under federal law rather than state law. I am not an attorney, let alone a specialist…
Flying With Purpose Thanks to US Airways
Earlier in the week I arrived at Washington’s National airport to find a couple of things different than what I expected over on the far US Airways concourse. First, Five Guys Burgers was closed. Lots of changes coming to the dining scene at National airport, but Five Guys was there, and it’s coming back, how important could the renovation of the Five Guys space really be? Second though was much more significant. US Airways brought in over 100 World War II veterans to DC on a day trip. The entire terminal stopped, stood silently, until each veteran came off the aircraft — and gave each one a massive round of applause. Surviving World War II veterans, coming to DC to visit the World War II Memorial? That was a pretty non-partisan issue in DC this…
He Who Smelt it Dealt It, Southwest Labor Problems, and DFW Showers (Bits ‘n Pieces for April 4, 2014)
News and notes from around the interweb: Southwest’s labor problems stem from lower profit margins Emirates will begin flying an Airbus A380 Dallas – Dubai starting October 1. That means onboard showers in first clss, people. Japan Airlines miles (Starwood Preferred Guest transfer partner) are often the best for roundtrip Emirates redemptions. Alaska Mileage Plan miles are great for one-way awards (and no fuel surcharges). How to change your frequent flyer number attached to oneworld airline reservations. Delta is adding ice cream to transatlantic coach flights. DFW will also be getting more customs officers.. over the next 12 to 18 months. That’s to help with extremely long lines during peak times, and is way too far off. Thank goodness for Global Entry. Air France’s new slogan: “France is in the air” .. so that’s what…
