Federal Government Flushed Pending Global Entry Applications Submitted By New Yorkers

by Gary Leff

passport getting stamped
Feb 08 2020

Wednesday night the Trump administration announced a new policy that New York residents are no longer eligible to apply for (or renew) Global Entry, SENTRI, or Nexus. That means no more expedited immigration, and it means New Yorkers getting their TSA PreCheck through these programs wouldn’t have that benefit renewed either.

It was unclear what would happen to New Yorkers who already had submitted applications (and renewals). That’s now clear. Those applications have reportedly been flushed.

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Aeroplan Temporarily Waiving Infant Charges On Award Tickets

by Gary Leff

Feb 07 2020

Bringing a child under 2 years old on a plane with you is free for domestic flights if you don’t buy them a seat. However when you travel internationally an infant without a seat needs a ticket, and those can be expensive even when you’re redeeming miles for your own flight.

When you book an award and add a lap infant, some programs charge you 10% of a paid ticket. That’s standard for United, Delta and American. If you redeem miles for a $6000 business class ticket, the lap infant costs you $600 plus taxes.

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Dark Horse: There’s a Third New Business Class Seat American Is Considering

by Gary Leff

Feb 07 2020

I’ve written about American’s process for selecting a new business class seat to debut on the Boeing 787-9s slated for delivery beginning in 2023. I’ve argued that the most likely seat is their current Super Diamond seat, adding doors. And a second option – the Adient Ascent seat – leaked.

However it seems that people who are part of customer focus groups looking at American’s new seat options are reporting that there are actually 3 seats under consideration, and some may even be suggesting they’ve been shown four seats.

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[Leak] Here Are The Two Seats American Is Considering For New Business Class

by Gary Leff

Feb 07 2020

American is looking at installing a new business class seat. The timing is expected to coincide with the arrival of new Boeing 787-9 planes into the fleet in three years. They’re focus grouping two options now.

I recently wrote that I believed the seat they would choose is the current Super Diamond seat they’ve been using, with doors added. We now also know the second option they’re considering.

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Post-Brexit, The U.K. Wants British Airways To Fly U.S. Domestic Routes

by Gary Leff

Feb 07 2020

With Meghit done, and now after an interminable wait Brexit done as well, the U.K. is turning to new trade agreements where necessary in order to replace those they’d been covered by while part of the E.U. Indeed, the U.K. needs a deal with the E.U. along with myriad other countries.

The former U.K. ambassador to the U.S. has been a part of discussions, and has insight into both sides of discussions.

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JetBlue Founder’s New Airline – Breeze Airways – Will Launch This Year

by Gary Leff

Feb 07 2020

Now the airline has an official name, Breeze Airways, and has announced plans to fly by the end of this year. They’re currently applying for a government operating certificate and they’re hiring. They’ve re-affirmed plans to launch with non-stop service in markets that do not currently have direct flights.

Neeleman promises ‘the World’s Nicest Airline’.

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Visa Revamping Rates Charged To Merchants, May Affect Card Bonuses Some Banks Can Afford

by Gary Leff

credit cards
Feb 06 2020

Visa is adjusting merchant swipe fees across the board for the first time in a decade. The fees grocers charge will go down. Rates will also be lower for health-care, education and real estate, areas where Visa would like to win market share away from checks. Meanwhile the fee for online (‘card not present’) transactions will go up.

Banks want to bonus small dollar, frequent spend like groceries to get customers in the habit of using their cards, keeping them top of wallet for unbonused spend. The categories where this makes sense to banks though will change based on the revenue associated with each type of transaction.

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