Delta is experimenting with an improved coach product that includes leather seating, more legroom, snacks, and complimentary newspapers and coffee in the morning and cocktails in the afternoon.They’re trying out the concept on the Atlanta-Houston and Atlanta-Kansas City routes where they go head to head with Airtran and are using planes that used to fly on the DC-New York-Boston shuttle routes, so no retrofitting is necessary.Delta is clearly feeling squeezed by Airtran and feels the need to offer a differentiated product. This is an inexpensive, easy way to do it. And they’re even offering 2000 bonus miles for booking these flights, so they’re trying to leverage their frequent flyer program as well.Airtran is giving American Airlines fits as well.
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Cheap flights to Tokyo
$215.20 from Buffalo to Tokyo (via Detroit) on Northwest with plenty of availability on Travelocity. Thanks to ScottC’s Airfare Deals list.Update: the fare is sadly no longer available.
Still a longshot
American Airlines considers an unlimited upgrade policy similar to Continental. Of course they’re considering, but I still judge it unlikely.
Why restrict Systemwide Upgrades?
Another thought occurs to me with respect to the restrictions on upgrading inexpensive coach fares. There are three possible explanations for United’s motives, and I haven’t thought them all through yet. Incremental revenue. They force flyers to ‘buy up’ to a higher fare to upgrade. It’s not prohibitively higher (perhaps — and I’m overgeneralizing here — $100 or $200 in the case of an S or T vs. W or V). My uninformed guess is that this could translate into $9 million based on 30,000 1Ks spending an extra $100 on half of their systemwide upgrades. That figure is probably off, but might give a sense to the order of magnitude.Chase off the mileage runners. In spite of the recent proactivity on the part of Mileage Plus, some there still do believe that many of…
United’s 2004 Systemwide Upgrades
Yesterday I said that my take on United’s Mileage Plus changes for 2004 would depend on the terms and conditions of its Systemwide Upgrades (valid for upgrading international travel at time of booking, subject to availability).United has sent an email to its membership, which among other things contains the details: In 2004, SWUs will be electronic rather than paper certificates, making them easier to track and bank for later use. 2004 SWUs will be eligible in Region 1 from all booking classes except Z and G, and in Region 2 from all booking classes except Z, S, T, K, L and G. First, the restrictions. L and G restrictions really aren’t relevant, as those aren’t generally available fares. If I recall correctly, G is a travel industry fare on United.The disappointment is really S and…
United Mileage Plus Changes for 2004
United just announced changes for 2004. Details remain a bit sketchy. “Our Mileage Plus program is ranked number one for one simple reason – because we reward our loyal customers better than any other airline,” said John Tague, Executive Vice President – Customer. Ranked #1 by whom? Alaska Airlines won the Freddie Award for best program and America West won for best elite level.Changes for 2005 include: Class of service bonuses count towards elite status. This way United rewards premium passengers without hurting passengers flying coach fares. Mileage bonuses upon qualifying for elite status — 2500 miles for qualifying as a Premier and 10,000 miles for qualifying as a Premier Executive. Interestingly, no additional mileage upon reaching 100,000 flown miles and 1K status. “Six electronic systemwide upgrades with limited restrictions for Premier Executive
Priceline Bonus Money
The Priceline Hong Kong website has an online scratcher game where you can win $100, $200 or $500 Hong Kong dollars for your next Priceline bid using the Hong Kong Priceline website. By the way, you can book the very same hotels on the Hong Kong website as on the US website. Just do the currency conversion between US Dollars and Hong Kong Dollars. HK$100 equals about US$13.
Priceline and Price Discrimination
Tyler Cowen discusses Priceline’s role in the marketplace and price discrimination in particular although he errs slightly in saying that Priceline serves price discrimination, including in the gasoline market. Priceline pulled out of the gasoline and grocery businesses almost three years ago.This old Slate piece explains how Priceline enables price discrimination: It finds out how much each customer is willing to pay by the brilliant technique of asking. And it keeps the higher-paying customers away from the bargains by making the process such a pain in the ass. With Priceline, you have to give your credit-card information and agree to be charged before you know whether you’ve even got a deal. You don’t get to choose the airline that you’ll fly. You don’t get to specify the time of day you’ll leave or whether you’ll…
Changing alliances
United and Mexicana are ending their relationship effective March 31, 2004. This move also signals the end for Mexicana’s participation in the Star Alliance.What remains to be seen is just what’s driving the move. Is Mexicana going to merge with Aeromexico, a Skyteam partner? Is Mexicana looking for an equity investment from another (non-Star) carrier? Was United just looking for too many changes in their operating relationship, and Mexicana wouldn’t budget?I don’t have the inside scoop on this one — which is unfortunate, because there goes my complimentary Red Carpet Club access via Gold status in the Frecuenta program…
Free Delta credit cards with signup bonuses
Delta has a first year free offer on its co-branded American Express card that nets 10,000 bonus miles up front. Delta also has a free the first year offer on it co-branded small business American Express card that nets 10,000 bonus miles up front. Even if you’re just you you can be eligible for the small business card, believe it or not. Don’t we all need a “Our Name & Associates” identity anyway?(Via Gary Steiger’s Free Frequent Flyer Miles website)
