View from the Wing - Page 1139 of 3064 - Thought Leader in Travel

Seattle Airport Now Lets Visitors Go Through Security Without Same Day Travel, Joining Growing Trend

by Gary Leff on December 17, 2019

airport

Dec 17 2019

Ultimately very few people go to the airport just for the restaurants — except maybe Tortas Frontera sandwiches at O’Hare — and most people probably won’t know about this sort of option. It does mean incremental revenue for businesses and the airport, and convenience for customers.

With major US airlines and American Express lounges moving to require a same day departing boarding pass for admittance it’s unlikely to lead to greater crowding of lounges or greater costs for rail drinks.

Is Marriott Eliminating The Meetings Trick For Elite Qualifying Nights?

by Gary Leff on December 17, 2019

outside marriott hotel

Dec 17 2019

Marriott did not deny that the 10 elite nights for any event benefit is changing, although it’s not clear when or what the change will be (they simply promise to tell us if they make changes).

My read is this: if you want to take advantage of this opportunity in 2020 it might be a good idea to do it early in the year.

New Hilton Stay and Night Bonus and Biggest Buy Points Bonus, Too

by Gary Leff on December 17, 2019

Dec 17 2019

You’re definitely going to want to register for Hilton’s new promotion and do it now even if you don’t expect to stay at Hiltons because you’ll never remember to go back later to do it when you wind up with an unexpected stay.

Meanwhile Hilton is back selling points at the lowest price Honors points are ever offered – half a cent apiece through a 100% bonus on purchase points valid through December 28.

British Airways Enters New Joint Venture With China Southern (But American Is Blocked From Doing The Same)

by Gary Leff on December 17, 2019

china memorial

Dec 17 2019

British Airways has formed a joint venture with China Southern. British Airways has already moved its Beijing operations to the new Daxing airport there, and flights under the joint venture are for sale beginning January 2.

American owns a stake in China’s biggest airline but isn’t permitted to enter into a joint venture.

Argentina Expected To Impose 20% Tourist Dollars Tax

by Gary Leff on December 16, 2019

picture of hotel outside

Dec 16 2019

This is part of an “economic recovery package” that will somehow “reactivate the local tourism industry.” I do not think this is how it works.

20 Hotel Amenities You Shouldn’t Use

by Gary Leff on December 16, 2019

Dec 16 2019

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Man Identifying Himself As An American Airlines Pilot Is Making Threats On Twitter

by Gary Leff on December 16, 2019

Dec 16 2019

A man identifying himself as an American Airlines pilot is threatening a travel blogger on twitter because the blogger has exposed the poor service offered by the airline in international first class, in a flight attendant’s own words.

The pilot is threatening to abuse his authority and kick travel blogger Ben Schlappig off of American Airlines flights if he finds himself piloting a plane Ben is flying. The chances this could happen are reasonable as Ben is a long-time American Airlines Executive Platinum member.

When Greta Thunberg Travels She Suffers For Your Sins

by Gary Leff on December 16, 2019

Dec 16 2019

Greta Thunberg won’t fly, but she travels first class by train – but posts photos of herself in social media that suggest she doesn’t even have a seat and is stuck sitting on the floor.

Hong Kong Airport Seizes 7 Planes Of Troubled Hong Kong Airlines

by Gary Leff on December 16, 2019

hongkong airlines plane

Dec 16 2019

The Hong Kong Airport Authority has seized 7 planes belonging to beleaguered Hong Kong Airlines to “protect the financial interests of both AAHK and the government.”

I wouldn’t be buying tickets on the airline, and that of course creates its own self-fulfilling challenges.

Your Flight Attendant Won’t Be Getting Into The Holiday Season At United

by Gary Leff on December 15, 2019

people posing for picture

Dec 15 2019

Airlines face a challenge around the holidays. Do they insist on a standard image for their frontline employees, or do they allow some festive creativity? And if employees can deviate from standard dress, what guidelines should be applied?

United Airlines appears to be taking a conservative stance this holiday season, cracking down on flight attendant holiday dress.

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.

Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »