Will Elaine Chao Stay On As Secretary Of Transportation In A Biden Administration?

by Gary Leff on November 13, 2020

Nov 13 2020

Frequently Presidents have chosen a member of the opposite party for one cabinet post. Sometimes it’s been Secretary of Defense (Republican Senator Bill Cohen of Maine under Bill Clinton, for instance). Sometimes it’s been Secretary of Transportation (Republican Congressman Ray LaHood under Barack Obama, former Clinton Commerce Secretary Norm Mineta under George W. Bush).

In a return to normalcy, and especially with a very divided Senate that Republicans have slightly better odds to control, President Biden might choose a Republican for his cabinet – perhaps part of a deal to get a vote on other cabinet nominees.

Chase Adds Airport Parking Platinum Status (And A Free Day) To Several Cards

by Gary Leff on November 13, 2020

Nov 13 2020

Several Chase cards now come with Platinum status from off-airport parking provider The Parking Spot, along with enough points for a free day and 20% off of your first booking.

Will Airlines Demand Real-Time Vaccination Proof Or Testing Results As A Condition Of Travel?

by Gary Leff on November 12, 2020

Nov 12 2020

With a vaccine for Covid-19 seeming like a real possibility next year, but taking time to roll out broadly across the population, companies whose activities bring large groups together are working to figure out how to do that faster. One way is through technology to ensure that everyone congregating indoors is likely to be free of the virus.

Redeem Airline Miles For A Coronavirus Test

by Gary Leff on November 12, 2020

Nov 12 2020

In mid-April Emirates started rolling out Covid-19 tests at the airport for certain flights. It was so difficult to get tested in the U.S. at the time that I suggested it might be easier to fly to Dubai than getting a doctor to order one. Now over a million tests a day are being reported in the U.S. And you can take a test at home that you’ve purchased with airline miles.

[Roundup] Amex Says People Are Hoarding Their Points

by Gary Leff on November 12, 2020

Nov 12 2020

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.

United Airlines Offers 4 Ways Elite Status Will Be Easier To Earn In 2021

by Gary Leff on November 12, 2020

airline seat with teddy bear

Nov 12 2020

Following American AAdvantage announcing reduced qualification levels for elite status earned in 2021 last month, United MileagePlus is out with its 2021 elite qualification rules and they’re layering on four different boosts towards status along with making it easier to earn confirmed upgrades for those continuing to fly beyond the 1K level.

Taken together lower status requirements, a hard start for current elites towards status, along with bonus qualifying spend for status in the first quarter, and a relaxed restriction on using credit card-earned elite qualifying spend towards top status United has laid out ways that status will be easier to earn than ever this year.

Will Winter De-Icing Increase How Much Covid-19 Spreads On Planes?

by Gary Leff on November 12, 2020

Nov 12 2020

Airlines will need to figure out how much airflow they can maintain while applying de-icing fluid to aircraft with passengers on board.

Leaked Memo: Bali Plans Tourism Re-Opening December 1

by Gary Leff on November 11, 2020

shrine

Nov 11 2020

A leaked memo has detailed Bali’s tourism re-opening plans. On Friday, November 6th a government meeting took place at the Astor hotel between Bali’s airport authority, Director General of Indonesian Health, and Minister of Maritime Affairs. The memo details the plan for Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport to begin accepting international tourists on December 1. Bali’s Governor confirms the meeting.

Chinese Propaganda Fail: “How Passenger Planes Are Assembled In China”

by Gary Leff on November 11, 2020

Nov 11 2020

Chinese state media shared a time lapse video showing ‘how a passenger plane is assembled in China.’ Except the footage is from Boeing’s factory in Everett, Washington.

The Thai Hotel That Sent An American To Jail For Writing A Bad Review Now Has Special Warning

by Gary Leff on November 11, 2020

Nov 11 2020

In September a hotel guest was jailed for writing bad reviews of the Sea View Resort & Spa, Kah Change. American working in Thailand who wrote the review was arrested at his job and jailed over a defamation lawsuit filed by the property.

He spent a couple of nights in jail before being able to post a 100,000 Baht (~ US$3165) bail. He faced up to two years in prison if convicted.