Nov
07
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.
Google’s New Reward Points Program
General
Category Archives for General.
Up to 50% Off British Airways Awards For Travel Through End of April
Nov
06
2019
British Airways is running a sale on award bookings departing the U.K. between 7 November 2019 and 30 April 2020 (book by November 21). U.S. members can book their one-way returns back from the U.K. using the discount.
Will California’s New Privacy Law Require American Airlines to Tell You Your Eagle Rating?
Nov
05
2019
Here’s how American Airlines scores its customers. American Airlines has a system called Helix that it uses to tell employees when to go ‘above and beyond’ for a customer. It’s used by reservations, agents at the airport, customer relations, baggage services and others as a way to know when it’s ok to spend more on a customer.
The goal of the system is to accommodate high value customers who are at risk of defecting to a competitor. Helix will display an Eagle ranking from 1-5 for each customer. This ranking is updated each day and depends on a combination of revenue and how badly you’ve been treated by the airline. You’re only going to get special treatment if your ranking is 3 or higher.
How Much Hyatt Pays Hotels When You Redeem Points for Free Nights
Nov
05
2019
A hotel program books your room on points. They take the liability on their books for your point balance, and use it to pay the hotel.
Since hotels are mostly independently owned, they need to get real cash from the chain for your stay. Hotels actually benefit by filling unsold rooms with reward night guests, getting revenue from the loyalty program for a room that would have sat empty.
What’s Really Inside Wall Mounted Hotel Toiletries. It’s Disgusting.
Nov
04
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.
British Airways Parent Company Acquires SkyTeam Member Air Europa
Nov
04
2019
IAG, parent of British Airways, also owns Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and LEVEL. Now for the price of €1 billion they’re acquiring Air Europa (10 times current earnings). The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2020.
They are currently the third largest Spanish airline, behind Iberia and Vueling already owned by IAG. This is a blow to transatlantic redemptions using Delta miles.
Elon Musk: Vacations Will Kill You
Nov
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.
Why Spinning Off Frequent Flyer Programs is a Bad Idea
Nov
02
2019
On Wednesday morning I debated Stifel Managing Director Joseph DeNardi on whether or not to spin off frequent flyer programs at the Airline Information MEGA event in Florida.
Joe is the best-known face of the argument that loyalty programs are the primary drivers of revenue and value for airlines, and he’s argued that the overall businesses are undervalued because investors don’t clearly see how much good, high margin revenue is coming in from credit card partnerships versus from the airline as old-line industrial. He was charged with defending the idea of spinning programs off into a separate business, and I was charged with arguing against this.
The Next Annoying Airline Fee: A Charge to Use the Power Outlet At Your Seat
Nov
02
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.
The Airlines With the Most Narrowbody Planes on Order
Nov
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.
