General

Oct 03 2017

Four years ago United removed the ability to see Singapore Airlines award space on their website. When most airlines are trying hard to get partner awards bookable online so members don’t have to call, United made the choice to take away access to Singapore space online so members would have to pick up the phone (and likely so members wouldn’t even know it was an option).

At the time United claimed this was based on an agreement they made with Singapore Airlines. Singapore called this out as a lie saying the decision was United’s and one “we have no influence over.”

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Oct 03 2017

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.

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Oct 03 2017

I spent the weekend at the Andaz 5th Avenue in New York. I used to stay here all the time but haven’t been in quite awhile, not since Cornelia Samara left as General Manager to open the new 1Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.

Most of the time in New York I’ll try to stay as close as possible to my meetings. That’s meant that I’ve even stayed at the Hyatt Herald Square semi-regularly despite rooms better suited for elves than people.

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Oct 02 2017

Delta has been very forthright about how they see their most frequent customers, and the perks those flyers value most.

Two years ago they made clear that they saw the end of first class upgrades coming. Delta’s CEO just made the point again in no uncertain terms.

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Oct 02 2017

When Marriott first introduced mobile check-in at certain hotels, they apparently weren’t pre-authorizing guest credit cards for the stay. I’m told a not insignificant number of people checked in under false names and loaded prepaid debit cards with very low balances, just walking away from their hotel bills.

It’s the modern hotel equivalent of ‘dine and dash’ although a hotel guest in Guizhou, China shows it’s still possible to just go old school.

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Oct 02 2017

Whether you are a current Hyatt Visa cardmember or you get a new one this month as long as you register by October 31 you’ll receive a $50 rebate on $300 or more in spend with Hyatt Place and Hyatt House through January 1, 2018.

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Oct 02 2017

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.

Continue Reading »

Oct 02 2017

Kuala Lumpur is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s probably my favorite food city, from satay to prawn mee to amazing roti.

And I’m giving away a 3 night weekend stay at my favorite hotel in the city which has great views of the Petronas towers. Oh, and the room comes with club lounge access too.

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Oct 02 2017

UK-based Monarch Airlines has been troubled for awhile. There were rumors that Norwegian would acquire them for the carrier’s slots at London Gatwick. Instead the airline has ceased operations.

The airline’s planes are back in the UK, and the airline is under the control of administrators KPMG who do not have an air operator’s certificate.

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Oct 02 2017

Booking a ticket May 1, 2018 onward generates a message “your flight is in 2018, discover Flying Blue new programme rules” and new mileage-earning rates are shown.

The website mileage-earning calculator hasn’t changed. Air France KLM hasn’t made any announcement to members yet. And there’s no word on whether minimum spend will be introduced for elite status as part of these changes.

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