Airlines Can’t Make Money With Social Distancing, But They Can’t Make Money Without It

by Gary Leff

May 23 2020

Passengers keep complaining on social media that planes are too full. They aren’t subject to social distancing orders. They are, however, caught in a Catch 22. Blocking the middle seat makes people more comfortable, and people need to be more comfortable in order to return to travel. Air travel is a lot safer than people think but they need to feel safe and not all airlines are helping people do that.

Many people will stay away from flying precisely because there’s not going to be social distancing on planes, and they do not feel safe. Airlines can’t make money blocking all middle seats but they can’t make money until we decide we’re done with the need to block middle seats.

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Barclays American Airlines Cards: Earn 3x On All Spend

by Gary Leff

american aadvantage cards
May 22 2020

Barclays is offering their American AAdvantage cardmembers – both Aviator Red and Silver products – triple miles on all spending between today and June 30, 2020. The only unfortunate thing here is that you’re capped at 2500 bonus miles. So if you spend $1250 where you’d normally earn just 1250 miles, you’ll earn 3750 miles under this promotion.

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Air Canada Introduces World’s Second Most Generous Ticket Change Policy

by Gary Leff

lounge desk
May 22 2020

It takes a lot to get people out of the habit of staying in, and overcoming the fear that’s been built up about regular activities like haircuts, let alone travel. Six weeks ago I wrote that airlines are going to have to extend flexible booking policies or customers won’t have the confidence to buy travel in the face of uncertainty.

We’re now seeing policies become even more generous, and more flexible.

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Dear Hyatt, Please Don’t Impose Coronavirus Surcharges On Hotel Stays

by Gary Leff

hotel lobby
May 22 2020

This is a horrible idea, that undermines trust in the brand completely. It’s trust in the brand that drives value for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. They really risk undermining their business.

If a surcharge is needed to cover the cost of making a hotel safe from SARS-CoV-2, then it’s not part of a hotel’s basic practices. the room rate doesn’t buy a safe stay. That communication is downright scary. And hiding the ball on price is untrustworthy and what’s needed to bring travelers back more than ever is trust.

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The FAA and TSA Can’t Legally Mandate Masks Or Temperature Checks

by Gary Leff

May 22 2020

It may be a good idea to mandate passengers wear masks, and to take their temperatures as they arrive at the airport. However it’s a bad idea for government to charge TSA with taking temperatures of passengers who are already inside the airport at security checkpoints.

Airlines have lobbied for TSA to do this, and TSA has prepared to do it, however Aviation Policy News points out that neither the FAA nor TSA have the legal authority to mandate masks or take temperatures.

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