Trip Report: Stocking Up On Supplies During The Pandemic

by Gary Leff

Apr 06 2020

I had several reports on recent travels started but I’ve put those aside. I’m not sure it adds a lot of value to anyone right now to write about award travel to Bora Bora, or why I love to go to Paris over the winter (contrary to popular wisdom December and January are my favorite months).

Now though my trips to report on revolve around the grocery store, part of an ongoing series on the world’s most extreme staycation. Instead of a city trip report, I can write a home one. And instead of room service, there’s Doordash, Postmates, and UberEats.

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Two Programs Failing Members, Continue To Expire Points During Coronavirus Crisis

by Gary Leff

alaska airlines plane
Apr 06 2020

Loyalty programs will need their program members again soon. These are the people who can be incentivized to fill seats and rooms. They’re the ones who will either be chased away by a program which treats them poorly during this challenging time, or lured away by a program who treats them well.

So I think it’s especially notable which programs are still expiring their members’ miles.

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American Airlines Employees Can No Longer Sit In Domestic First Class

by Gary Leff

economy seats
Apr 06 2020

About a week and a half ago I wrote that if you must travel now, you should consider turning down the first class upgrade. There’s not much service or food to speak of, so you really just get a bigger seat. But first class is more full than coach. You’ll be more comfortable – and more socially distanced – by sitting in back and spreading out in your own row.

American Airlines has basically taken this approach and made it mandatory for their employees who as traveling as non-revenue passengers. “Nonrevs” can no longer fly first class on narrowbody aircraft.

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American Airlines Pauses Its New York Operation, Drops Flights 95%

by Gary Leff

americna airlines hangar
Apr 06 2020

On Sunday I wrote that American Airlines was operating more flights out of Newark airport than United Airlines. That seemed insane, considering United’s major hub at the airport. With the coronavirus crisis limiting air travel generally, and the New York area the current epicenter of fighting the virus in the United States, continuing to operate even 15 flights from Newark hardly seemed to make sense for American.

It seems the Dallas-based carrier realizes this, and has pulled down its schedule from the three major U.S. airports to just 13 flights in total from April 7 through May 6.

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Hotel Comes Under Fire For Helping Wealthy Guests Quarantine From Coronavirus

by Gary Leff

Apr 05 2020

While other hotels are closing, with no transient business, Swiss luxury hotel brand Le Bijou is setting up “quarantine apartments” based on what they’re learning about guests needs – in-room meals and COVID-19 testing, a private gym, access to medical care.

Le Bijou’s CEO says he noticed a drop off in three night bookings, but green shoots in the form of 14-day stays. He learned these were guests quarantining from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. And he realized there was an opportunity to stay in business by meeting guest needs. Some people are appalled.

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Delta Extends Elite Status, Club Memberships And Rolls Over Qualifying Miles To Next Year

by Gary Leff

delta airplanes on tarmac
Apr 05 2020

Everyone pauses in place and gets a do-over. That’s the message from Delta which announced an extension of elite status, club memberships, vouchers and more.

There’s a natural reason why Delta is first among U.S. airlines to do this – and an advantage they have in rollover qualifying miles that better positions them to still take advantage of their elite program when travel comes back.

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