Apr
03
2019
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.
Double Miles and Using Instagram to Eat for Free
Commentary
Category Archives for Commentary.
Las Vegas Hotels Discover Fraudulent Resort Fees are Hurting Their Business
Apr
03
2019
“Resort fees” are extra charges, on top of a room rate, that aren’t optional. In other words they’re part of the price of a room, but the hotel advertises a lower price instead. That’s on face deceptive.
I understand the logic of charging a resort fee in a market where everyone else is doing it. If a hotel charges a $250 room rate and a $30 resort fee, that’s $280 a night. If another hotel charges $270 a night they’re actually $10 cheaper — but appear at first glance to the consumer to be more expensive. Once resort fees are standard in a market, a hotel loses by not charging them.
What’s become especially egregious in recent years is the spread of resort fees to new markets, under different marketing. City hotels aren’t resorts and instead they promote “destination fees.”
Nigerians are Ordering Pizza and Having it Delivered on British Airways
Apr
02
2019
Testifying before a Nigerian Senate committee last week the country’s Minister of Agriculture called out wealthy Nigerians whom he says are ordering pizza from London.
The daily British Airways Boeing 747 from London Heathrow to Lagos, Nigeria departs London at 11:20 a.m. and arrives at 5:55 p.m. — just in time for dinner.
A New Place to Put a Lavatory and Another Airport Bans Chick-fil-A
Apr
01
2019
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.
Ethical Dilemmas Running This Blog
Mar
31
2019
There are any number of ethical choices we all make on a daily basis. I don’t have a staff to bounce things off of, no editor, I’m just me and I do the best that I can to write content that interests me (the only way I could possibly still be doing this after 17 years) and hopefully engaging content and do it in a way that let’s me sleep well at night.
That doesn’t make me any more ethical than anyone else, and I’m sure readers will find fault with plenty of things I write, but here’s how I generally think about the blog.
Marriott Social Media Got Bonvoyed and Southwest Flight Attendant Serenades Mother of Fallen Trooper
Mar
31
2019
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.
Here’s What ‘Suspicious Behavior’ Can Get You Stopped at the Airport
Mar
30
2019
The city you’re flying from (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York), your clothing (a hoodie), and even eagerness to get your bags at baggage claim are suspicious and can get you stopped. So can looking like someone with those characteristics that the police notice while following someone else. You’d be surprised how often you’re being watched at the airport, and that the government can stop you — and take your stuff.
Last year it was revealed that the TSA was assigning agents to follow ordinary Americans and record their behavior. That behavior was exposed and shamed, both because it was creepy and for no legitimate purpose. But creepy violations of civil liberties don’t just stem from the war on terror, they’re still a feature of the war on drugs as well.
Missed Connections: Woman Desperately Wants to Find Seatmate From Her Seattle Flight
Mar
29
2019
Jomaica Alfiler is looking for the man she sat next to on a Lufthansa Frankfurt – Seattle flight.
She was in window seat 43A on flight LH490. He “sat in 43B, helped her with her luggage, her seat and even offered her his blanket.”
Warren Buffett Accidentally Bought Too Much Delta Stock
Mar
29
2019
Buffett got back into airline investing two years ago, not quite convinced that major carriers had become ‘high quality industrials’ as Delta likes to argue just that the business is better than it used to be. Berkshire Hathaway promptly lost over a billion dollars on these investments.
Nonetheless a month ago there were rumors he was going to buy Southwest Airlines in its entirety and that drove up the airline’s share price.
Passenger Melts Down Over Not Being Served Pepsi
Mar
29
2019
On the rare occasion I’m in a restaurant and order a Coke I think I share the same reaction as much of the rest of the world when the server says, “We have Pepsi, is that alright?”
I sort of feel for the woman that was just banned from ever flying TAP Air Portugal again. She wanted what she wanted.
