Lack Of Domestic Travel Restrictions May Be Our Greatest Risk Going Forward

by Gary Leff

Apr 19 2020

Travel restrictions have a very limited benefit for the place imposing them when the virus is already spreading somewhere. U.S. restrictions on travel from China, and from Europe, came after they were too late to matter.

Yet they haven’t come domestically. That may be one of the bigger risks we face as different areas of the country struggle to overcome the spread of the novel coronavirus on different timelines. We’re seeing restrictions on domestic travel in places that are dealing relatively well with the virus (Australia) and those that have suffered greatly (Italy).

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Hotel Demands $400,000 Cancellation Fee Despite City’s Ban On Events

by Gary Leff

Apr 18 2020

While hotel chains have been good about allowing cancellations of non-refundable, non-changeable consumer bookings, this flexibility has not been extended to events in most cases. Most hotels seem to be asking event hosts to reschedule for a future date, not cancel, and are reluctant to return deposits.

Some hotels are asking event organizers to cough up cash for events that aren’t happening.

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As Hotels Struggle, One Chain Markets Rooms As An Escape From Your Spouse During Lockdown

by Gary Leff

Apr 18 2020

Facing an unprecedented downturn, hotels are struggling to stay afloat. Some are turning to unconventional means to fill rooms, like providing luxury quarantine services or serving the homeless at risk for infection.

One furnished apartment chain based in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo is taking a different route: they’re marketing themselves as an escape for spouses at wits end with their partners during the lockdown and the perfect antidote to ‘corona-divorce’.

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Canada Will Require Masks For All Airline Passengers Starting Monday

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2020

Starting Monday at noon Eastern Canada will begin requiring face masks for air travel.

Possession of a mask will have to be demonstrated during the check-in process for all international flights departing Canada or flying to Canada. (That will require physical check-in). Masks must be worn going through Canadian security checkpoints (to protect security screeners). And worn whenever a passenger can’t be physically distanced from others.

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Thailand’s King Visited His Country Only Briefly, Returning To Quarantine With His Harem in Germany

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2020

The king of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, is self-quarantining in Germany with a harem of 20 women and servants.

His country has had a ban on international flights in place, and Thai Airways has suspended passenger operations. Nonetheless the national carrier operated Bangkok – Munich service, including a tag flight between Switzerland and Germany.. so that the king could attend a dinner party, and then once again flee the country with a stop to see his wife before returning to the German Alps.

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Southwest Asks For Labor Concessions, Their Biggest Union Responds ‘Full Pay Until The Last Day’

by Gary Leff

Apr 17 2020

United Airlines took a public approach telling all employees they expect to need fewer staff going forward and releasing the letter to media.

Southwest was more circumspect, holding private discussions with union leaders about how to avoid layoffs in the fall. They told unions that without concessions they expect to have to furlough employees. Southwest’s biggest union has gone public with a loud rejection.

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American Express Just Bought Nearly Half a Trillion Hilton Honors Points

by Gary Leff

hotel
Apr 17 2020

A month ago I wrote that frequent flyer programs would save the airlines because they offer rich sources of value and cash. However while United and Delta are reportedly in talks to sell large chunks of miles at a discount to their credit card partner banks, it’s actually Hilton that’s first out of the gate with this.

Hilton shared with the SEC that they’ve pre-sold $1 billion worth of points to American Express. That probably somewhere around half a trillion Honors points.

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