Category Archives for General.
An American Airlines passenger says he spent three hours contorted in a middle seat because the traveler beside him could not fit within one seat space. American responded that “customers come in all shapes and sizes,” but the airline’s own policy says passengers who need more room must buy a second seat — and if two seats are not available, move to another flight.
Rove Miles is not attached to an airline, hotel chain or credit card bank — but it keeps acting more like a serious transferable points program. Its newest addition is Air Canada Aeroplan, with 1:1 transfers, a 25% launch bonus, and live Aeroplan award search.
A Secret Service officer was arrested for… earning elite status the hard way (cough) in the front of guests at the Miami Airport DoubleTree. And a new 100,000 point offer for a lounge-access card, a Starlink ad Easter egg on United, and more.
A pre-dented suitcase is now something you can buy on purpose — because apparently looking like your bag has already survived years of airline baggage handling is a travel aesthetic. Also: Amex’s JetBlue transfer bonus disappoints, Singapore Airlines adds Starlink slowly, and Etihad turns amenity kits into collectibles.
JetBlue is not about to file for bankruptcy, despite rumors being planted around the industry. But the fake story is catching on because the airline’s problems are real: six years of losses, billions in debt, rising fuel costs, and a turnaround clock that is still ticking.
News and notes from around the interweb: Charlotte airport staffer stole $5,000 in jewelry from a passenger’s luggage and sold it on Facebook. Their defense? ‘I didn’t steal it, I found it’ (cough) but it still didn’t belong to them and they still sold it, it seems. Court documents said a woman reported that multiple pieces of diamond-encrusted David Yurman jewelry were stolen from her suitcase during a layover April 11 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The jewelry was valued at about $5,000, documents said… In the days after the initial report, detectives said they found a social media account, “Alonys Garcia,” listing every piece of jewelry the woman reported stolen and selling it as a bundled item…Reyes-Garcia claimed he found the jewelry in the secure baggage area. Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease linked to…
American Airlines pilots union leadership is no longer just criticizing management — it is openly encouraging the board to consider takeover or merger paths after United’s CEO publicly floated a deal. The union says American lacks the vision, culture change and operational progress needed to fix itself quickly enough, and that “any path forward” should be on the table.
Delta once tried to make economy class feel premium, with hot towels and multi-course meals on long-haul flights. Here’s just how far the airline’s onboard experience has fallen. Plus United looks to save money on business class amenity kits, airlines rushing in to back fill for Spirit Airlines and more.
A seven-months-pregnant passenger unexpectedly gave birth on ITA Airways flight 855 from Dakar to Rome, the airline’s first baby born onboard. Also: a New Orleans traveler holds up TSA with more than a dozen bottles of seasoning, Robinhood admits its new platinum card is too coupon-y, and passengers keep finding window seats with no windows.
A 21-year-old Chinese planespotter and aeronautical engineering student was arrested after photographing the E-4B “Doomsday Plane” and other military aircraft near Offutt Air Force Base, even though there is no espionage charge and no allegation that he trespassed.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
