Alaska Airlines has introduced a new top elite tier beginning ‘end of January’ 2022 as expected: MVP Gold 100K.
This new level requires flying 100,000 qualifying miles or 140 segments in a year, and in either case including a minimum of 24 Alaska Airlines flights.
Newark airport is no longer slot controlled. The only U.S. airports where an airline is required to have takeoff and landing slots to operate are New York JFK, New York LaGuardia, and Washington’s National airport. Airlines still need to secure gates and ticket counter space, of course.
Yet the U.S. is prepared to hand out slots that used to be used by Southwest Airlines to a low cost carrier. Here’s why airlines still want them.
American Airlines now outsources curbside check-in at the limited number of airports where it’s still available, and it’s no longer offered free (plus tips) where provided. Instead it’ll cost $3 per bag to use the service.
Even hubs like Phoenix, New York JFK, Los Angeles, and Charlotte don’t have American Airlines curbside check-in at this point.
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.
There’s debate over whether changes to the American Airlines Contract of Carriage (the adhesion contract you’re agreeing to when you buy a ticket) matter or not. The airline says they’re not obligated to put you on another airline when they cancel your flight, and won’t reimburse your hotel if you submit a receipt unless they’re legally required to do so.
It’s this system of providing hotel stays I want to touch on for a moment. The airline has been saying that the only way they will cover your hotel is if they provide you with a voucher.
American Airlines offers a generous 5 day ‘hold’ for award itineraries. You don’t have to put down a credit card or spend your miles to lock in an award option.
However back in April I identified that awards for travel on Cathay Pacific placed on hold were being cancelled out.
Flight attendants at Piedmont Airlines, a regional carrier owned entirely by American Airlines, are going to vote on whether or not to authorize a strike between September 23 and October 21, 2021.
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.
An old “train depot and concert venue” is being converted into a 225 room Marriott Autograph Collection hotel in Salt Lake City – the Asher Adams – and they need your money to do it, it seems.
Hilton Honors is straight up extending elite status again. They’re also rolling all elite nights earned in 2021 over to qualifying for status in 2022 (for the 2023 elite year) as well as reducing elite qualification requirements in 2022. They’re also extending the pause on points expiration.
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 »
