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American Airlines Adds Big New Routes to Austin and Several One Off Event Flights

by Gary Leff on December 10, 2019

austin airport food court

Dec 10 2019

American Airlines announced this morning several new routes, the biggest of which are from my home airport in Austin. They also announced several one-off services to major events like the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting and Augusta National Masters Golf Tournament.

The Austin flights in particular are exciting because they’re a departure from American’s usual strategy. These are point-to-point flights that don’t touch hubs, instead they’re aggressively competing with new flights between Delta focus cities.

Town Of Burien, Washington Stops FAA From Sending Flights Over Its Skies

by Gary Leff on December 10, 2019

man expressing stress and noise at the airport

Dec 10 2019

When residents complain about airport noise I’m not usually sympathetic, the airport was there before you were and planes aren’t as noisy as they used to be. And when you see thousands of noise complaints about an airport it’s frequently just one to three residents making them all believe it or not (the complaints process has been automated).

But what about when the FAA redirects air traffic overhead?

New: American Express 30% Transfer Bonus To Virgin Atlantic

by Gary Leff on December 9, 2019

virgin atlantic

Dec 09 2019

American Express is running a 30% bonus on transfers to Virgin Atlantic through December 28. You have to be logged into your Membership Rewards account to see the bonus.

There are some great uses for Virgin Atlantic’s miles.

Aeroflot Introducing New Business Class Suites With Doors

by Gary Leff on December 9, 2019

Dec 09 2019

The new Aeroflot business class has been revealed. Aeroflot’s Airbus A350’s will feature new business class suites with doors. Aeroflot is a partner of Delta, and member of SkyTeam.

Here are photos of the new suite, routes where it will be featured, and tips for booking award travel.

Delta Pilot’s Retirement Tribute Went Bad

by Gary Leff on December 9, 2019

Dec 09 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.

If You Want To Book A Business Class Award, Air France KLM Probably Has Great Availability Right Now

by Gary Leff on December 9, 2019

Dec 09 2019

Air France KLM makes great award availability to members using their Flying Blue miles (more than what’s offered to partner airlines). Fortunately all the major bank currencies transfer to Air France KLM Flying Blue.

This space is useful if you want to connect anywhere in Europe, travel onward to the Mideast or India or even Southeast Asia (115k miles from the US East Coast).

United Airlines Charter Takes Off With Kansas City Chiefs Equipment Still On Board

by Gary Leff on December 9, 2019

Dec 09 2019

The Kansas City Chiefs clinched the AFC West last night and stopped the New England Patriots’ home winning streak at 21 games. But the real drama was lost luggage leading up to the game.

The Kansas City Chiefs took a United Airlines-chartered aircraft to play the New England Patriots. When they arrived some of their equipment was left on board. The plane then went to Newark, and the equipment didn’t reach them until two hours prior to kickoff.

Singapore Airlines New A380 Suites Saver Awards Available

by Gary Leff on December 9, 2019

Dec 09 2019

Right now saver awards are available for Singapore Airlines new suites on the longest route where the airline operates the Airbus A380: London – Singapore Right now there are about 80 saver award seats between the two cities over a two month period.

Scott Kirby’s Leadership Style: Times He Overruled The AAdvantage Team at American

by Gary Leff on December 8, 2019

united plane

Dec 08 2019

Kirby definitely gets in the weeds, including in the management of frequent flyer programs, and he’s known to overrule the executives below him. It may be that the sense is he doesn’t listen to investors (which is good, the growth plan that’s benefited United was unpopular with investors) but my sense is that he’s less likely to listen to his own teams.

Review: Santa Monica Proper Hotel (Design Hotels Marriott Redemption)

by Gary Leff on December 8, 2019

Dec 08 2019

My wife, daughter and I spent the night at the Santa Monica Proper hotel in late November. It was stylish, staff were friendly, and the location was fantastic for our needs.

For us it was an airport layover hotel without staying by the airport, a place that gave us a sense of place and allowed us to take advantage of a walkable neighborhood with our daughter.

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 »