Republicans Are Signing Onto The Airline Payroll Bailout Scam

by Gary Leff

Aug 05 2020

Sixteen Senate Republicans have signed onto a proposal for a second airline payroll bailout. The measure, which would give U.S. carriers a second $25 billion injection, likely has enough votes to pass – but that doesn’t mean it’ll be in the next coronavirus relief package.

The stock market response to the news shows this is really a subsidy for airline owners. Meanwhile the funding is unnecessary, too late, and too much money to address the stated desire to protect workers.

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Taiwan’s Airlines Are Offering Flights To Nowhere, And They Sell Out Instantly

by Gary Leff

plane on tarmac
Aug 05 2020

The two major Taiwanese airlines, Star Alliance member EVA Air and SkyTeam’s China Airlines, are running flights to nowhere in August. Both carrier’s flights instantly sold out.

New carrier Starlux Airlines has applied to start offering these flights as well.

Taiwan has been one of the real Covid-19 success stories. Part of the price of their early lockdown is that they’ve cut themselves off from the rest of the world for longer than most.

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Virgin Atlantic Files For U.S. Bankruptcy

by Gary Leff

virgin atlantic
Aug 04 2020

As long as the restructuring is approved, miles are safe – and it seems likely that creditors will approve because in the current environment the value of collateral is likely depressed and liquidation of the carrier isn’t likely to secure greater repayment. Put another way, you want to sell Heathrow slots when they’re worth more, not when they’re likely to secure their lowest prices in years.

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DEAL: Europe Business Class In 2021 From Just $590 Roundtrip

by Gary Leff

Aug 04 2020

As a general rule I’ve advised folks to hold off booking paid airfare unless it’s an incredible deal. Even with airlines offering ‘flexible rebooking’ policies, waiving ticket change fees, I’d rather have cash than an airfare credit. And it’s speculative when Americans will be able to travel to Europe again.

But here’s an incredible deal, and since it’s available not just this fall but through Winter 2021 some of you will want to consider it.

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American Airlines: Double Lifetime Elite Miles For Travel Through End Of Year

by Gary Leff

Aug 03 2020

American Airlines is running a promotion to earn double miles towards lifetime elite status with flying through end of the year. This isn’t double redeemable miles, or double elite qualifying miles, this is just double credit towards earning 1 million, 2 million, or higher tiers of lifetime status.

Here are some reasons they might choose lifetime elite status as an incentive, why American’s lifetime status has been on the decline (and how to fix it), and why you shouldn’t chase lifetime status from a loyalty program.

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