News notes from around the interweb:
- Hyatt is extending elite status by a year for Asia-based elites and also extending expiration of confirmed suite upgrades expiring this year to the end of next year, recognizing the impact coronavirus has on travel. Great for members, also good not to let the business of high value travelers go to the competition when it returns.
- Ultra high end hotel redemptions: Necker Island vs North Island vs. Calala Island
Calala Island Twitter Trip Review.
Feel free to ask questions and I'll probably respond in the main thread to keep information visible for others.
There is no continuity to this, but just random thoughts.
/Thread#calalaisland pic.twitter.com/zh0FK2retv
— Shane Rowley (@utahshane) December 29, 2019
- American Airlines is running a test, selling access to its Flagship First Dining at Dallas Fort-Worth for ConciergeKey and Executive Platinums on international itineraries. The were pricing it at $150. Now they’ve dropped price to $100.
- What makes German train stations the best in Europe?
- British Airways is hiring a bunch of catering and inflight service executives for what looks like a service overhaul.
- Alaska Airlines simplifies their mileage-earning charts (making them easier to understand, not devaluing them)
- Another inflight wedding proposal, this time on an Emirates A380.
Love is flying better on Emirates. Watch Vasti say ‘YES’ to William’s romantic proposal in our A380 Onboard Lounge.
We’re celebrating love this month with ‘Emirates Love Stories’, a series of heart-warming fan moments.#HappyValentinesDay #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter #EmiratesLoveStory pic.twitter.com/ENAMrsJgLR
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) February 14, 2020
@Gary, when this came out I thought that AA would get Zero takers @ $150US, although, as you accurately observed at the time, the value largely depends on how much Krug one can drink in a visit (n.b., the First Class dining rooms are only provided half bottles of Krug by my observation).
$100US may yet be a bit steep, although the food in the dining rooms I have been to (LAX and DFW, LAX best) is really very good.
My guess is the sweet spot will be somewhere in the $75 to $80 range. One should not forget that anything realized is incremental revenue for AA since the only marginal cost is food and adrink.
Which brings me back to my first question: Just how much Krug can you drink in a visit?
Since I love Krug and it’s not desperately strong in alcohol the answer is, quite a bit… 🙂
@Woofie- I actually think $100 seems right. They can’t sell it too cheaply or it’ll be overrun and no longer even a similar product. Would be nice if they open it up to more passengers though, of course this is just a test at the moment.
Regarding the train stations in Germany. They do have very good food offerings. I remember coming home and going to a subway and thinking “Geez, this stuff sucks compared to a sandwich at a train station in Germany”. I wish we had more real food and less over processed deli meats.
And pretzels are good snack food 24/7 (not healthy but tasty).
Train station currywurst in Germany is heavenly. /exeunt