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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American Airlines Extends Expiration of Systemwide Upgrades (But Some Upgrades Will Be Lost)

by Gary Leff

first class cabin
Apr 16 2020

Along with extending elite status by a year American Airlines is also extending systemwide upgrade certificates. Any systemwide upgrade expiring by January 31, 2021 will be extended to July 31, 2021.

But what about getting new upgrades when status is extended? And what about upgrades from last year that have been applied to 2020 travel?

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Southwest Extends – And Makes It Easier To Earn – Status And Companion Pass

by Gary Leff

Apr 16 2020

Southwest Airlines announced an extension of members’ elite status, Companion Pass benefits, and the validity of travel vouchers.

They’re also making it easier to earn elite status this year, as well as to earn a Companion Pass and extending the life of travel credits, in some cases giving up to an additional 2.5 years to use those credits.

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Whoa: Cruise Bookings For 2021 Are Actually UP During The Coronavirus Crisis?

by Gary Leff

Apr 16 2020

It’s taken as almost a given that the cruise industry is going to suffer for the long term. After seeing shifts sailing endlessly, not welcomed in any port, and becoming floating petri dishes for the spread of disease, who is going to get back on a ship?

And yet there are reports that cruise bookings are actually up compared to the same point in 2019, with cruise customers saying they’ll sail again.

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Emirates Is Now Performing Rapid COVID-19 Tests Prior To Some Flights From Dubai

by Gary Leff

Apr 15 2020

The plan is to do testing on all passengers prior to boarding flights to countries that require COVID-19 test certificates for entry. For the first time a finger prick test was used prior to today’s Dubai – Tunis, Tunisia flight.

If this is feasible at scale, then expect it to be a practice that spreads (and makes it easier for countries to require such a practice). Expect it to add to the time, hassle, and expense of travel, but also to open up borders faster.

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Why Business Travel Will Never Return

by Gary Leff

tsa
Apr 15 2020

The coronavirus crisis will have long-lasting effects on travel. I don’t think travel companies have internalized this reality yet, with many still projecting a bounce back in the summer and fall and a return to 2019 levels of travel next year or at least by the year after. That’s unlikely.

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