Branding Videos Are Tough During The Pandemic. American Airlines Pulls It Off.

by Gary Leff

Apr 21 2020

American is out with a new video, You Are Why We Fly. That’s not one of American’s new slogans (e.g. “caring for people on life’s journey”) but does harken back to one of the airline’s more important messages of the past: we know why you fly.

‘You are why we fly’ speaks to why they keep going in the face of unprecedented challenges, why they continue the business with fares so low and planes so empty, why employees travel from place to place and continue to interact with customers at the airport and on board even in the face of the global pandemic.

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With Virgin Australia In Bankruptcy, What Happens To The Miles?

by Gary Leff

Apr 21 2020

Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program has suspended redemptions even though it is a separate company and not included in the administrative restructuring. The frequent flyer program had been spun off in 2014, but reacquired.

The program’s 10 million members apparently had been redeeming points for “gift cards, electronic goods, and wine,” according to the airline, while members weren’t redeeming for travel. There was a ‘run on the bank’ as members questioned the viability of the program with the airline in trouble.

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Trailer Released For New Frequent Flyer Documentary

by Gary Leff

up in the air movie still
Apr 20 2020

There’s a great idea to dive into the frequent flyer hobby – from the craziest of schemes, to the oddball personalities, to the ethics – either as a movie or television short season. Many folks have tried it. I’ve sat down with several of them, given thoughts and interviews. It’s never quite come to fruition.

One has made it to the stage of a trailer for their documentary. Lots of familiar faces here.

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Air Canada: All Points Earned Or Transferred In Count Towards Elite Status & Other Bonuses

by Gary Leff

lounge desk
Apr 20 2020

Frequent flyer programs have done an amazing job of turning marketing from an expense into a profit center. But without travel, members are less engaged in the programs. And that means less spend with credit card partners, too.

It takes creative effort to get members continuing to earn in the program when they aren’t likely to redeem right away. But that earning means cash now – and is even more valuable than ever both because of the premium on cash for struggling businesses and because the redemption expenses won’t come until later.

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Norwegian Air Declares Four Subsidiaries Bankrupt

by Gary Leff

plane on runway
Apr 20 2020

Norwegian’s failure was one of 10 things I told you to expect from the coronavirus crisis. They’re now putting four subsidiaries which employ crew into bankruptcy and terminating other staffing agreements. They’re blaming the choice on which companies to put into bankruptcy on lack of subsidies by the governments of Sweden and Denmark.

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