Airlines

Category Archives for Airlines.

Frontier Airlines Is Matching Status – And Now Re-Matching Status

by Gary Leff

frontier plane docked
Dec 23 2021

On December 1 I covered an incredibly generous status match offer from Frontier Airlines. For $49 they’ll match against 15 different airlines and 15 different hotel programs. And they’ll even match up to top tier which basically waives all fees at this fee-based airline and makes tickets cancellable without penalty. This offer runs through December 31.

Two things have changed since the offer launched – including that they will now re-match folks who took advantage of this in 2020.

Continue Reading »

American Airlines Manager Caught Telling The Truth About Poor Checked Bag Delivery Times

by Gary Leff

baggage claim
Dec 21 2021

Delta and Alaska Airlines commit to delivering checked bags within 20 minutes of each flight arriving. If they fail to meet that, you’re entitled to miles or a credit towards a future trip as compensation. Neither United nor American offer this.

A brief moment of honesty from an American Airlines manager explains why they can’t do it.

Continue Reading »

JetBlue Rethinks Elite Status, With Jury-Rigged 2022 Program And Real Change For 2023

by Gary Leff

Dec 18 2021

JetBlue used to seem a bit half-hearted about its loyalty program. It was always a bit of a me-too effort, from revenue-based accrual and redemption to a single-tier elite program that doesn’t even offer free extra legroom seats to its top customers.

Now that they’re (1) expanding internationally and (2) in an alliance with American Airlines, using American slots in New York to grow and taking traffic onto their flights from American’s long haul operation, they’re in a whole new ballgame. They’re even relevant to corporate business. And how you treat premium customers matters – more than just inflight in Mint (their business class cabin, which is quite good). So they’re beginning to get serious about an elite program.

Continue Reading »

Southwest’s CEO Was Likely Infectious With Covid During Senate Testimony On Wednesday

by Gary Leff

airline seats
Dec 17 2021

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly tested positive for Covid-19 “after returning home” from testifying in front of the Senate Commerce Committee with the CEOs of United Airlines and American Airlines, and an Executive Vice President of Delta. Flight attendants union head Sara Nelson was also there, and she reports speaking directly with Kelly after the hearing.

Continue Reading »

American Airlines CEO Walks Back Senate Testimony On Masks, Does A Mandate Still Make Sense?

by Gary Leff

Dec 17 2021

At Congressional hearings this week, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said that masks provide little incremental benefit in air travel given the safety of the aircraft environment. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker chimed in, “I concur.” And has since been walking that back, though over the summer when virus prevalence was low he and the CEOs of United and Southwest were talking about ending the mask mandate.

So should we still be wearing masks on planes?

Continue Reading »

American Airlines Won’t Let You Track Your AAdvantage Account With Award Wallet Anymore

by Gary Leff

Dec 17 2021

The best way to track and manage frequent flyer accounts for many years has been Award Wallet. You add your account information and they let yo know when your balance changes. They let you know when your flight plans change – from flight numbers and times to seats. They track airline fee credits,, free hotel nights, and suite upgrades. And they let you know if miles in a program are close to expiration.

American Airlines has told Award Wallet that they can no longer do this with AAdvantage accounts or American reservations. The position American Airlines is taking is going to make the lives of members and passengers harder, and it’s going to mean less engagement in the AAdvantage program.

Continue Reading »