In the face of the new Covid-19 variant identified in South Africa, the U.S. is banning travel from South Africa along with Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.
This only applies to non-citizens (U.S. citizens can’t spread the new variant?). And it doesn’t start until Monday (we’ve asked the virus to wait before spreading because of the holiday weekend).
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
While we’ve seen virus variants, we haven’t seen rapid mutation that escapes immunity and also involves greater fitness – so that the virus spreads faster and in vaccinated and previously infected populations.
This variant has multiple spike protein mutations that could help it become more transmissible and also evade immunity. Whether this variant becomes dominant or not, it’s suggestive that there are more mutations in the virus that are possible – countering prevailing wisdom that significant mutation wouldn’t be possible while continuing to infect humans.
Perhaps the one area where higher prices and scarce inventory have followed the traditional path in travel is rental cars where if you can rent a car it’s expensive and then you have to hope there’s a car there when you arrive. Hotels and airlines are just providing you less, while not charging you proportionately lower prices, and so inflation isn’t as obvious.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Before the pandemic American Airlines had partnered with Zoës Kitchen on branded meals. That partnership has expired. I’m not sure any restaurant chain would be interested in putting their name on an American Airlines Turkey Pastrami sandwich.
Based on a discussion with airline employees this week it sounds like American Airlines is open to cobranding their meals with non-traditional food businesses, perhaps ghost kitchens, or maybe a meal kit delivery service like HelloFresh?
The European Union wants member countries to require boosters for entry proposing that vaccination be considered valid for 9 months from last shot. Each country sets its own rules but bloc-wide guidance is influential.
Does that mean we’ll need to keep getting vaccinated in order to travel? No, it actually doesn’t mean that.
At an employee “Crew News” question and answer session this week American Airlines explained why Africa flying isn’t on their radar any time soon. A recording of the discussion was reviewed by View From The Wing.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
For April, July, August, and September 2022 there are plenty of dates with availability for two passengers on the Dallas – Hong Kong flight in first class at 84,000 AAdvantage miles apiece. Next year there may be hope of visiting Hong Kong, or of using this flight to connect onward in Asia on American’s partner Cathay Pacific.
Availability on American’s Dallas flight is great because it’s a useful connecting point for most of the country.
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 »
