Despite my strong criticisms yesterday of United blocking partner award inventory (and in general United agents telling customers that it’s the partner that isn’t offering seats), now is actually a pretty good time to book Mileage Plus awards. In my experience, blocking ‘loosens’ up at the beginning of February, May, August, and November. A week ago it was pretty much impossible to get Lufthansa or Swiss transatlantic award seats, despite those carriers offering award inventory to their partners. This morning every Lufthansa flight that was showing award seats on the All Nippon Airways Star Alliance award search website was also available via United. As I understand it, United sets a ‘budget’ for booking awards on each partner by quarter. They may start off a quarter tight, afraid of running up against their budget by the…
About Gary Leff
Challenges that Lie Ahead for the United-Continental Merger
On Saturday, in advance of the announced merger of United and Continental, I offered my thoughts and predictions on what would result. My bottom-line was quoted in Monday’s Chicago Tribune: “It’s too early to know whether Continental (will) run the joint effort the way they’ve run their own shop,” said airline blogger Gary Leff. “If they do, it will be a boon to customers.” Regular readers know that my biggest question or concern is whether the combined entity will continue United’s practice of ‘starnet blocking’, preventing members from redeeming miles for award seats that partners are offering. Nonetheless, having talked to several reporters over the past few days, I thought in broad strokes I’d offer some additional take on the challenges nad issues ahead for the two carriers. The United-Continental merger will not reduce costs.…
The Westin Resort Macau: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
It was a quick 10 minute cab ride over to the Westin Resort in Coloane. The hotel does offer a complimentary shuttle to the Venetian and ferry dock, but a cab was inexpensive so we didn’t wait for it. The Westin is a grand older hotel on the beach, far away from the action of Macau but not really more than 10 minutes away. The property reminds me a bit of the Westin Puerto Vallarta, each floor set back slightly from the one below it and all rooms offering balconies. It’s a beautiful, old, quiet property and seemed fairly unoccupied throughout our three day stay. We were assigned a suite looking out on the beach on the top guest floor, I didn’t ask how many suites they had but there didn’t seem much competition for…
As United Records Windfall Revenue from Expiring Miles, Will Their Practice of Blocking Available Partner Award Seats Continue Under New Airline Management?
Nicholas Kralev echos my major concern about a United-Continental merger in his Washington Times column this week: Starnet blocking. United is the only Star Alliance carrier known to block otherwise available partner “award” seats. When Continental joined the 26-member group in October, it not only vowed not to filter other airlines’ inventory, but it also helped make United’s blocking more transparent by showing actual availability on its website, though it doesn’t have all Star carriers yet. But will a merged United-Continental continue to block partner award seats that are being offered, more often than not falsely blaming the partner for not offering the seats? Indeed, Continental specifically promised not to block partner award seats — a practice engaged in only by United and no other Star airline — and to have a ‘realistic’ award chart…
Hyatt Points Sale @ ~ 1 Cent Apiece on Tuesday
On May 3, American Express’ Discover America Daily Getaways offered Starwood Starpoints for purchase at 1.45 cents apiece. The offer was snapped up and gone in minutes. On May 11, Hyatt points will be on sale. There will be: (100) 24,000 Gold Passport points for $225 (35) 30,000 GP points for $300 (15) 36,000 GP points for $375 (15) 69,000 GP points for $700 There’s a maximum of one of each package per purchase. These will be available at 10am Eastern on Tuesday and likely to go very quickly.
New Delta American Express Promo and Benefit: 100% Bonus on Mileage Purchases and First Checked Bag Free
MilesQuest points to a Delta offer for 100% bonus on purchased miles when you use a Delta Skymiles American Express card to make the purchase by June 30. One Mile at a Time says that the 1.4 cent per point purchase price under the promo is worthwhile if you’re topping off for a Singapore Airlines award before the May 15 deadline. But otherwise it’s hard to endorse such a purchase. And in related news, half a dozen people have emailed me about the ‘news’ that Delta American Express cardholders would receive a first bag fee waiver beginning June 1. This is hardly a big deal, it’s becoming a common co-branded credit card benefit, something that Continental already offers for its Mastercard holders for instance. The card isn’t free, if you spend money on it you’re…
My Newest (and Best?) Giveaway Yet? Actual Money Courtesy of Bing Travel!
Bing travel wants to get your (and my) attention. I’ll admit, I hadn’t paid them much mind before, I’m used to searching with ITA Software and with Kayak, booking directly through an airline site or with Expedia or Orbitz if need be. I often find that Orbitz is good for putting together complex multi-carrier itienraries, and depending on the carrier they may be updating inventory at a lag from other sites, so Expedia or Orbitz might be cheaper on any given itinerary on occasion. So I was surprised to find that Bing seemed very much in the tradition of Kayak, the site I’ve recommended most often to non-experts for search for travel. Very good to know! So how did they get my attention and now yours? They’ve laid out their summer travel forecast and have…
US Airways Reduces International Award Travel Change and Redeposit Fees
According to the Dividend Miles Member Guide, the fee for award ticket changes and for ticket cancellation/mileage redeposit is $150. Up until a few days ago it was a stratospheric $250 per passenger on international itineraries ($150 domestic). This change brings US Airways in line with American and United. It’s still not inexpensive, but it’s a meaningful reduction of $100 per passenger, without explanation or fanfare. I’ll take it!
Starwood Free Night Promo Now Also Includes 1000 American Airlines Mile Bonuis for Each Sheraton Stay
Starwood’s free weekend night every three stays promo, which runs through July 31, just got a little bit better. CaroL just let me know that they are stacking that with 1000 bonus American Airlines miles for each Sheraton stay. (Even if you’ve already registered for Starwood’s free night offer, you need to register again if you also want the American miles – this link asks for your American Airlines frequent flyer number.) So if you’re making one-night stays, this offer could be quite valuable, and certainly more valuable than last summer when Starwood partnered with Northwest and Delta.
Reminder – Last Chance to Grab Singapore Airlines Premium Seats with Your Delta Skypesos Approaching
The Delta – Singapore Airlines partnership ends May 15. Singapore Airlines awards, despite the roughly $500 fuel surcharge/taxes one might expect on a first class redemption, remain the single most lucrative use of Delta Skypesos there is.. for another dozen or so days. If you don’t get in on this deal to burn your remaining Delta miles, here’s my advice on the best uses for Skymiles and even how to find available premium cabin award seats and book them online.
