Marriott Extending Status, Waiving Cancel Fees and Points Expiration For Chinese Members

by Gary Leff

chinese temple
Feb 21 2020

Following a similar move already announced by Hyatt, Marriott is extending elite status by a year for residents of China and its Special Administrative Regions (as well as Taiwan so as not to get in trouble by differentiating it) due to the coronavirus outbreak and concomitant drop in travel to and from the region. This is based on account address date as of February 1, 2020.

Marriott is also extending Suite Night Awards and Free Night awards for these customers won’t expire points in these members’ accounts until February 2021.

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United Pilot Saves The Day For Four Passengers Stranded At Chicago O’Hare

by Gary Leff

airport
Feb 21 2020

Washington Post national political correspondent Jenna Johnson tried to make a quick trip home to D.C. on United after the Nevada caucuses, a surprise for her husband who wasn’t expecting to see her until after Super Tuesday.

She didn’t make her Las Vegas – Washington Dulles flight, while roads into the airport were closed off while the President left town, but United rebooked her onto a connecting flight through Chicago. It went mechanical, jeopardizing her O’Hare connection.

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Limited-Time Free Opportunity: 5% Rebate on Discounted Hotels and More

by Gary Leff

hotel dining
Feb 20 2020

Despite marketing claims by the big chains, you can often get a better price on a hotel booking through third party websites. That’s even more the case with independent hotels.

What I’ve found is that the more expensive the hotel the greater likelihood you can find a deal through a small online travel agency website. You’ll usually give up hotel loyalty points and elite status credit, but you may receive other perks. At a minimum it’s worth checking before you book.

Right now there’s a new opportunity to join a site free that usually charges, to get 5% back on your bookings — and not just hotels, either, but other travel too.

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Bypass LaGuardia: Seaplane Service Will Challenge New York-Boston Shuttle

by Gary Leff

Feb 20 2020

Cape Air won approval to start flights from Boston Harbor to New York City, at East 23rd St. in Manhattan. This is a one year pilot program for four flights a day.

Currently Amtrak is desirable for its downtown-to-downtown service, making up for slow train speeds by avoiding commutes for passengers looking to travel between city centers. This service offers to cut out the airport transit while retaining the speed of flying, though of course is subject to weather more than train travel. The major limitation, however, is frequency.

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