News and notes from around the interweb: The most popular link I posted yesterday was the very first review of the new SAS business class, interesting because it’s a Star Alliance partner of United and will be a great new redemption option. Less than convenient (thank goodness for Google Translate) it wasn’t in English. Fortunately there’s a great English version of this review you’ll want to read. Delta has a temporary baggage delivery guarantee, through March 31 you get 2500 miles if your bags take too long to arrive, something arch-frenemy Alaska Airlines has done since July 2009. Presumably this is a test to see if Delta can deliver and if the commitment is too costly to them to make. If they can pull off matching what Alaska has done for years, it should put…
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Ralph Nader’s Letter to United CEO Jeff Smisek
Ralph Nader — a truly important voice in the 1960s and 1970s, who hasn’t been relevant since 2000 — wrote an open letter to United CEO Jeff Smisek. He criticizes United’s share buybacks, largely as a rhetorical device to contrast his real target: United’s decision to outsource machinist union jobs. (United reached a deal with the machinist union out outsource 1150 jobs at 16 airports, less than the 2000 jobs at 28 airports being discussed at the time of Nader’s letter.) There is much to criticize at United. The outsourcing of baggage handlers and customer service agents may have a negative effect on customers — you might get friendlier but less empowered agents, and baggage could get better or worse. These are complicated issues, and current United management doesn’t have a strong track record that…
What’s the Best Airport in the United States?
Brian Sumers expresses concern at the silly naming of LAX as the best airport in North America by Business Traveller magazine. There’s no conceivable universe in which LAX is the best airport in North America. In many ways it belongs grouped with the worst airports. Unquestionably the Tom Bradley terminal is one of the most improved. But many of the terminals are unconnected inside security, and it can take 20 minutes or more just to drive around the terminals. Traffic at that airport is horrendous. Over the summer I named LAX the second worst airport in the U.S.. I grouped it with Miami, New York JFK, and Washington Dulles. You take a train outside security between terminals at JFK.. and a train to where you can pick up hotel shuttles. But what are the best…
Halle Barry’s Husband Assaults an Airport Employee, Ryanair Falls for a Joke, More on That Delta Gun Smuggler, and Avoid United Express in Denver!
News and notes from around the interweb: Halle Barry’s husband hit an airport employee with an empty child’s car seat at LAX’s Tom Bradley International terminal yesterday. TMZ has video. It doesn’t look like much harm was done to me, but the employee went to the hospital. (HT: Alan H.) At the Freddie Awards last year in Seattle, the told the crowd that I’d had a rough flight getting in, I understand how passengers can hate the airlines since American just made me pay for my emotional baggage. Ryanair, though, fell for the joke on twitter. (HT: Alan H.) The Delta employee accused of smuggling guns at Atlanta airport was already a convicted felon. (HT: Reid F.) Take 3 Amtrak Acela roundtrips by February 28, and get a free Acela roundtrip to use in July…
United Releases its New Safety Video: Hit or Miss?
United has a new, cute safety video they’re rolling out across the fleet. I have a few thoughts. Matthew likes it. My feelings are more mixed. At four and a half minutes it’s just too long. I want to be in the air already by the time the video is 80% done. United CEO Jeff Smisek isn’t in the video. That makes the video better, and means they’ll be able to use it into the future. Towards the end of the video, telling passengers to carry on just one bag and one personal item seems absurd given that they’re all already seated with baggage stowed when this is playing. The kangaroo is great. The United captain scolding the French restaurant patron is bizarre, a sentiment perfectly captured by the Frenchman’s expression as he tries to…
United Giveth.. And Quickly Taketh Away: No More Free Checked Bags for Star Alliance Silvers
United used to give Star Alliance elite members really outstanding treatment — including economy plus seating for Gold members and a generous checked baggage allowance for Golds and Silvers. Long after economy plus extra legroom seating went away, Star Alliance Silver members lost their second free checked bag in March 2011. Star Alliance Gold members were reduced from 3 checked bags to 1, and down from 70 pounds each to 50 in October 2013. At the same time Star Alliance silver members had free checked bags taken away from them entirely Then at the beginning of last month the United.com website was updated to show Star Alliance silver members again receiving a free checked bag. But commenter M S points out that this benefit has again been removed from the United baggage fee detail page.…
United Gives Free Checked Bags Again to Star Alliance Silver Members
United used to give Star Alliance elite members really outstanding treatment — including economy plus seating for Gold members and a generous checked baggage allowance for Golds and Silvers. Long after economy plus extra legroom seating went away, Star Alliance Silver members lost their second free checked bag in March 2011. Star Alliance Gold members were reduced from 3 checked bags to 1, and down from 70 pounds each to 50 in October 2013. At the same time Star Alliance silver members had free checked bags taken away from them entirely Now the United baggage fee details page has been updated to show once again that Star Alliance Silver members — frequent flyers with the lowest-tier status level of their airline alliance partners — will get a free checked bag when flying United. Oddly, then,…
United Lounge Access for US Airways Elites Through February 2015 (With 1 Air Canada Flight)
Airlines will often give you elite status if you already have status with a competitor. But it’s rare for non-U.S. airlines to do this. And it’s especially valuable when non-U.S. airlines that are partners of United or American/US Airways do this because that elite status will often afford you lounge access when flying United or American/US Airways. Since US Airways has left the Star Alliance and joined oneworld, Star Alliance member Air Canada is offering status matches to US Airways elite frequent flyers. This is very rare for Air Canada to do. US Airways Silvers get the grandiose-sounding but not all that rewarding ‘Altitude Prestige 25k’ level. While US Airways Golds and above (so including Platinums and Chairmans Preferred members) get Altitude Elite 50k, which is also Star Alliance Gold. That means you get priority…
Richard Branson’s Life Advice to Have a Sofa in Your Kitchen, Which Bags Will Get Stolen, and Go Hungry on United (Bits ‘n Pieces for March 21, 2014)
News and notes from around the interweb: A sneak peak at the Park Hyatt Vienna which opens this summer The new list of IHG Rewards PointBreaks hotels is available, with booking starting on Monday. Starwood has a promotion for meeting planners who book by September 30 for events through the end of 2014: a 2% discount on the master bill, 1000 bonus Starpoints for every 10 room nights, plus either a complimentary welcome reception or free room or upgrade for every 35 rooms booked. That’s on top of the usual points earned. I much like Starwood’s meeting planning program which – like Marriott’s – will let you earn elite status through your coompany’s meeting spend. Your first class priority tag might make your bag more attractive to a sticky-fingered baggage handler. And ‘most thefts occur…
Have Elite Status With United, American, or Another Airline? Here’s How You Can Get Elite Benefits With Delta, Too
Points to be Made says that China Airlines – a member of Skyteam and thus partner of Delta – is offering status matches. As usual, you will need to provide details of the airline and programme you are matching from, your account number and a screenshot of your activity page. To initiate the process, send an email to ndfp@china-airlines.com who should match your status for one year.. China Airlines’ Emerald status, that they appear to be matching to at least for Star Alliance Gold members but presumably for oneworld Emeralds as well, is “Skyteam Elite Plus” which gets priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling as well as lounge access when flying internationally. (Unlike top tier status with oneworld or Star Alliance with an airline outside the U.S., you do not get lounge access on a…
