Yesterday we learned that: American Express renewed their co-brand relationship with Delta Delta would not be implementing its cap on points transfers into the SkyMiles program from partners. It struck me at the time that American Express should have negotiated better for itself, I was surprised that the cap wasn’t going to apply going forward to all partners except for American Express! Of course I’m glad that’s not what happened, I don’t want to see caps on transfers, largely because I don’t want other programs to mimic the idea thinking that if Delta’s doing it then it must be smart. There’s not a ton of public information on the extension of the Delta/American Express relationship out there. But here, via Joe Brancatelli whose newsletter I subscribe to, Delta included the following slide in their investor…
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An Update and Correction
Yesterday I cited a Travel Pulse article quoting a Delta spokesperson explaining in rather harsh terms when it is that they are willing to issue compensation to passengers. It was a startling quote which is why I highlighted it. I was pointed to the article by an industry e-mail list I participate in, and the author seemed credible. However, several readers doubted its veracity. PR folks are usually much better than to say such things The newspaper article cited for it didn’t actually include the quote. I reached out to the author of the article that I cited to get clarification, and did reach him. He shared that the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinal piece is where he got the quote, and suggested that the quote was originally included in their article. After I asked about the…
Delta Partner Saudia Fined by the DOT Over Their New Los Angeles Flight
Saudia started flying Los Angeles – Jeddah this year, three days a week. That’s great because they’re a Delta partner, and they are among the airlines offering the most award space of any in the world. Want to take a whole family from the US to India in business class using Delta miles? Saudia is your play. The Department of Transportation, though, recently won a (cough) victory for consumers. The US and Saudi Arabia has an Open Skies agreement. Normally a foreign carrier needs Department of Transportation approval to operate a route to the US The Open Skies Agreement exempts Saudia from this requirement. But a 1997 DOT regulation says that an airline exempt from the requirement must obtain an exemption from the DOT before advertising and selling tickets on the route. Saudia apparently didn’t…
Here’s Why Airbus Says They May Discontinue the A380
Over the summer I made the controversial claim that the Airbus A380 is a failure. Let’s just say plenty of people disagreed with me in the comments. As a passenger I like the plane. I love flying Singapore’s A380 in first class for sure, there’s nothing yet in the skies like the Emirates shower. And the Etihad Residence should top even that. In August I wrote: There are no buyers in the U.S., South America, or Africa. They’ve barely penetrated China or Japan. In 7 years Airbus has delivered only 138 planes to 11 airlines. Word is the plane is being discounted by 50% off list. While aircraft manufactures don’t really sell for list, that’s still a significant discount and early buyers generally get ‘most favored nation’ status where future discounted sales entail rebates to…
ACT QUICKLY: Frequent Traveler University Dallas Tickets Now Available!
After a great weekend in the DC area with several hundred fellow frequent flyers and outstanding speakers, the next USA TODAY TRAVEL Frequent Traveler University is ready to launch! It will be held April 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency DFW, minutes from the Dallas Fort Worth airport. As in DC there will be both an Advanced program limited in size for more focused discussions as well as the big event. The Advanced program has sold out within hours of tickets becoming available each time it’s been offered, so we keep bringing it back (we don’t want to make it larger so that we can continue to meet program goals). Get your tickets right away! Frequent Traveler University ($149) Frequent Traveler University – Advanced ($249) Hotel booking link – Hyatt Regency DFW special $99 rate Some…
There’s Not Going to Be a Cap on Points Transfers to Delta After All
Just off the phone with American Express, and their contract renewal for the co-brand relationship with Delta means that the anticipated cap on transfers from Membership Rewards to Delta — the limit of 250,000 points transferred per calendar year effective January 1 — will not happen. Presumably other partner transfers, where the relationship isn’t as significant as the American Express one, will still see this cap implemented. Update 10:38am Eastern: The cap is removed for all transfer partners, not just American Express. I rarely recommended transferring to Delta. Their awards tended to be tougher to get and cost more than those of many other major currencies. But it was ‘easy’ for many — Delta was the last remaining major U.S. airline that American Express points transferred to. There are a surprising number of people out…
BRUTALLY HONEST: Delta Declares You’re Not Entitled to Compensate Even If They Injure You
See below for an update. Historically airlines have sugar-coated changes. When they reduce the value of their loyalty program, increase fees, or otherwise making the travel experience more cumbersome, they tend to couch changes as enhancements. We should be happy that we’ll get fewer miles, have fewer seats with extra legroom, and a more difficult time earning elite status. A given change may be good or bad for the airline’s business, but either way airlines are rarely candid with what they’re doing. They speak as though they think we’re too stupid to know the difference and to me that’s even worse than making a change I don’t like. Remarkably, recently several airlines have been on a streak of blunt candor. Air Canada devalues its elite benefits and declares ‘we are not a charity’ United makes…
LaGuardia is Slated to Get a New Central Terminal in 2021. Wanna Bet?
Some folks were surprised to see American Express build a new lounge in the Central Terminal at New York LaGuardia airport. At the time it opened I pointed out that they have a 7 year lease on the space, and the new terminal isn’t scheduled to open until 2021… “but I don’t think anybody believes it will really happen that soon.” Thus it’s no surprise that Airport Policy & Security News (yes, that’s a thing) reports that the Central Terminal redesign is already hitting major process snags. On October 20th , the day before the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was to announce the winner of its competition for a $3.6 billion concession to replace the obsolescent Central Terminal at LaGuardia Airport, Gov. Andrew Cuomo held a news conference (with Vice President…
Building the Perfect First Class Ground Experience
There are several elements to the first class experience that start and end entirely outside the in-air experience. Airlines that compete at the top end have invested heavily in their ground experience alongside their inflight soft and hard products. Some of the best are: Thai Airways Lufthansa Qantas A notch below, in my view: Emirates Etihad And then: Asiana Cathay Pacific I’ll go out on a limb and claim that Qantas has the best first class lounge food. It’s nearly all cooked to order out of an open kitchen, with no buffet (though there are substantive bar snacks strategically placed throughout the lounge). Singapore’s Private Room has a good cooked-to-order menu, and a willingness to go off-menu to accommodate preferences, but I’ve found the food to be only average. Lufthansa’s Do&Co offerings are quite good…
Hyatt Eliminating Elite Room Discounts, and Changing Confirmed Bed Type Policy
When Hyatt added a new rewards category 7 and made other (negative) changes to the Gold Passport program a year ago, they introduced a couple of positive features as well: Cash and points awards 20% off rates for elite members (subject to availability) Cash and points was a permanent feature of the program, and a really good value for category 2 through 6 hotels. Unlike traditional award nights, as well, the rates are paid rates and eligible to use Diamond Suite Upgrades on, plus earn stay and night credit towards elite status and promotional earning. No More ‘My Elite Rate’ in 2015 The 20% off ‘My Elite Rate’ didn’t make much sense to me, and I’m not surprised to learn that it will not be coming back for 2015. Whereas I used to sometimes wind…
