Elite Status: Where I’ll End 2019

by Gary Leff

american airlines plane
Nov 14 2019

I just booked what I hope will be my last flights of 2019, and my last hotel stays as well. Looking back on the year I realize I traveled less – fewer days than I’ve spent on the road in recent times since the birth of my daughter last fall.

Less time in the air and in chain hotels for me will still seem like a lot of time away to many readers. In 2016 I was gone half the year. That hasn’t been close to true this year. Still, I’m on track to renew several of my status levels.

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Wide Open Summer Business Class Awards Using American AAdvantage Miles

by Gary Leff

Nov 13 2019

The ability to use American AAdvantage miles at the saver level without significant fuel surcharges is a relative rarity and worth jumping on.

oneworld carrier Iberia – owned by British Airways parent IAG – is starting new summer seasonal service between Washington Dulles and Madrid five times a week, effective May 1. The flight will be operated by an Airbus A330-300 with 29 business class, 21 premium economy, and 242 coach seats.

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Delta Running Pop Up SkyClubs at Smaller Airports

by Gary Leff

Nov 13 2019

Sometimes a pop up lounge is meant to serve a member base where they find themselves during a peak period, sometimes it foretells a future club location.

There isn’t just one pop up lounge strategy, so it’s difficult to know exactly what Delta is doing here, but they’ve run a series of pop up SkyClubs at some smaller market airports.

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Delta SkyMiles: Europe Business Class For Just 98,000 Miles Roundtrip

by Gary Leff

first class seats
Nov 13 2019

Delta is running a flash sale on SkyMiles redemptions for business class trips to Europe. Book by November 14 for roundtrip travel December 24, 2019 through April 18, 2020.

Most Delta flash sales are for coach travel. It’s nice to see the occasional business class offer, even in off-peak periods. You’re likely only to find availability when prices would otherwise be low. However 98,000 miles roundtrip is a good deal – especially for use of SkyMiles. If you need to top off a Delta account, Membership Rewards points generally transfer instantly.

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Aeroflot Confiscated a Passenger’s Miles Because His Cat Was Too Fat

by Gary Leff

Nov 12 2019

Aeroflot Bonus has confiscated the miles from a member whose cat was discovered to be overweight.

The passenger had a Moscow connection enroute between Latvia and Far Eastern Vladivostok. He registered his cat as a pet in cabin, but his cat was too large so he actually showed a different cat at the check-in desk. It cost him his 400,000 mile balance.

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