Commentary

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NBC News Coverage of Travel Pricing Errors

by Gary Leff on April 27, 2005

Apr 27 2005

Matt Lauer did a piece on the Today Show this morning (video clip) on the recent spate of travel pricing errors. He mentions the USAirways $1.98 fare, the $55 Fiji trip, and the Lanesborough Hotel pricing error. He manages to hit key questions like whether airlines and hotels have to honor pricing, what role the internet plays in disseminating mistakes, and whether lists and websites promoting the errors are monitored by travel companies in order to correct errors more quickly.The piece actually seems to be driving a bit of traffic to this website today. Mentioned in the interview are Flyertalk, FareAlert, and the New York Airfare Blog. Lots of people looking for similar sites are happening onto this one.

In Search of an Academic Argument Against Onboard Cell Phones

by Gary Leff on April 27, 2005

Apr 27 2005

Tyler Cowen doesn’t want to see cell phone use on planes. He has a strong opinion and is looking for academic arguments to support it: Can I claim that cell phone calls are a socially wasteful means of signaling to your spouse that you care? Can I claim that commercial airplanes are modern (short-term) monasteries, and that markets undersupply such temples of silence? Phone use is actually allowed onboard planes now — the phone is in the seatback and the cost is several dollars per minute. The change is making low cost calls available via personal cell phones. Tyler would presumably tax that useage substantially in order to maintain existing cost levels which prevent would-be phone users from invading his silence. I think Tyler is incorrect if he’s imagining people on cell phones yammering on…

Mother’s Day Flowers

by Gary Leff on April 26, 2005

Apr 26 2005

It’s one of the times of year that all the programs push their flowers and gifts mileage partners. America West just sent out an email offering 20 miles per dollar with FTD, with Butterfield Blooms, with Gift Sense, and from the San Francisco Music Box Company. The FTD offer says “Elite Members” but the offer was sent to me by America West, and I do not have elite status with that airline. I do have some experience with FTD offers originally targeted for elites, and everyone has always been able to earn full mileage with the offers regardless of status. The best mileage offer has been around for a couple of years, FTD offers 30 United miles per dollar spent. The offer mentions United 1K members but everyone has been able to take advantage of…

Another Priority Club Award Glitch

by Gary Leff on April 25, 2005

Apr 25 2005

The InterContinental The Grand Palace Srinagar also has its Presidential Suite available as a 30,000 point award. Another mistake, and this too will disappear quickly. So where exactly is this? Known as the paradise on earth, Srinagar, the summer capital of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, is nestled in the beautiful Kashmir valley, surrounded by soaring snow-clad mountains midst the soft murmur of river Jhelum and idyllic lakes. Formerly the palace residence of the maharajas, InterContinental The Grand Palace Srinagar, ringed by the majestic Himalayan ranges, overlooks the picturesque Dal Lake. Originally built in 1910, this twin storey heritage property with its sprawling lawns has been carefully restored to its former glory and is today a full facility destination. The palace is located 15 kms from the airport and just minutes away from the…

Priority Club Award Glitch: Presidential Suite Available

by Gary Leff on April 25, 2005

Apr 25 2005

The Intercontinental Grand in New Delhi is showing all of its room types available for 30,000 point redemption — not just the basic room. This is your opportunity to get the Presidential Suite on an award booking. Not all nights are available, and this will not last. August 3rd was first identified at Flyertalk.com in the Priority Club Suite Redemption Alert thread. I see most nights available, presumably except those where the Presidential Suite is already booked. KING PRESIDENTIAL SUITE KING BEDROOM LIVING ROOM DINING ROOM PRIVATE SAUNA AND JACUZZI GUEST BEDROOM 3TVS BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SAFE

Interview with a Mileage Junkie

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2005

Apr 21 2005

The author of the Denver Post piece I mentioned yesterday did extensive interview with Gary Steiger and with me about a year ago. That interview is posted on the story author’s website.

Seeing myself in print

by Gary Leff on April 20, 2005

Apr 20 2005

View from the Wing was mentioned in Sunday’s Denver Post. It’s nice to learn that you helped someone earn the miles for a trip of a lifetime, in this case case to Africa. Thanks for the shout out! This blog has been covered in the Washington Post and I’ve been quoted in the Financial Times, San Francisco Chronicle and many other places. But it always feels kinda good. Even if I do get just a bit mention this time.

Renting Cars Off-Airport

by Gary Leff on April 20, 2005

Apr 20 2005

Business Travel News carries a piece on corporate travel departments pushing travelers to rent cars from off-airport locations in order to save on skyrocketing fees associated with airport rentals (hat tip to Tripso Daily). While the piece documents the high taxes, some at truly bizarre heights, it mentions only a couple of companies pushing travelers to rent off-airport in a couple of circumstances — which seem to me about as much as convenience than cost savings, or at least both married together. The trend that bothers me most is airports with ‘on-airport’ car rental facilities that are really off-airport, where you have to take a shuttle bus off the airport facility to a car rental facility. As long as off-airport rental companies pick you up at baggage claim as frequently as on-airport buses, or at…

Star Alliance Status Matches Available to U.K. Residents

by Gary Leff on April 15, 2005

Apr 15 2005

Residents of the U.K. are invited to receive elite status on the Star Alliance carrier of their choice (excluding Singapore) by filling out a form and faxing a copy of a frequent flyer statement that shows elite status with a competing airline. For general discussion of elite status matching and instructions for receiving matches with several airline programs, see “The Status Match Master Thread” — a Flyertalk discussion I started in October 2003.

When it ALMOST makes sense to pay the higher mileage award level for a flight

by Gary Leff on April 13, 2005

Apr 13 2005

Joel Widzer claimed a premium level first class award on a domestic flight from LA to Dallas. While that strikes me as a little crazy for a midcon flight, I can’t criticize him too much. For the very first time I recently claimed a premium first class award on a domestic flight. It was a last-minute transcon, I was paying out of my own pocket, and the flight would have cost about $1500 in coach. Plus I knew I wouldn’t get an upgrade. I had to fly on one specific return flight, and there was only one first class seat left for sale. Claiming the premium award allowed me to pull a seat from revenue inventory and take that last first class seat. Still, it was a questionable use of miles defensible only based on…