View from the Wing

British Airways Visa is Being Revamped, New Benefits Coming This Fall

by Gary Leff on June 5, 2019

Jun 05 2019

Chase and British Airways renewed their US co-brand credit card deal. They have partnered for 26 years and last announced an extension of their relationship in May 2015.

Last month I wrote that Chase was surveying customers about how to redesign an airline card. And now the bank and airline have announced that “[i]n the fall of 2019, Chase, Avios and British Airways will announce new enhancements to the British Airways Visa Signature Card that were developed with cardmember feedback in mind.”

20% Bonus Transferring American Express Points to Qantas

by Gary Leff on June 5, 2019

Jun 05 2019

Last week American Express added Qantas Frequent Flyer as a Membership Rewards transfer partner.

Normally points transfer 1:1 from American Express to Qantas in 500 point increments. However through June 30 they’re offering a 20% bonus on transfers from American Express to Qantas.

New Restriction on Transferring American Express Membership Rewards Points to Friends and Family

by Gary Leff on June 5, 2019

Jun 05 2019

Up until June 2014 you could transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to whomever you wish. At that time they instituted new restrictions without warning: they would only allow transfers of your points to people who have an authorized user card on your account.

That was always the rule but the website never enforced it up until that time. You could link anyone’s frequent flyer account to your Membership Rewards account and transfer points to it. Now there’s a new rule or rather a waiting period to transfer points to someone else’s account.

How to Access American’s Old Calendar Search Tool for Better Award Results

by Gary Leff on June 5, 2019

Jun 05 2019

Knowing how to find the old system makes award search much more convenient, even as American pushes customers into the process for the new and incomplete award search tool.

It’s unclear how long American will run two systems in parallel. However for now it’s a good idea to make sure you’re seeing results from both systems because otherwise you may pay more miles than necessary for your awards.

The Best All-Inclusive Hotel Redemptions

by Gary Leff on June 5, 2019

Jun 05 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.

55,000 Mile Lufthansa Business Class Roundtrip Awards

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2019

Jun 04 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.

Inside Delta’s Brand New Tumi Business Class Amenity Kits (Plus Something for Coach Too!)

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2019

Jun 04 2019

Delta has introduced new Tumi amenity kits, and the business class kits contain Le Labo products. Perhaps most notably all long haul passengers flying Delta receive an amenity kit, including coach passengers, although the separate kits for coach and Comfort+ extra legroom seats aren’t branded… but are still creative.

Today is the Last Day for Most Americans to Book Cuba Travel if They Want to Go

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2019

Jun 04 2019

The US government is ending ‘people-to-people educational travel’ to Cuba for US citizens. If you purchased a flight or reserved a hotel prior to June 5th, though, you can still travel. The regulations will not publish in the Federal Register until June 5. That means you still have today to make bookings.

42 Year Old Mother, Teacher Died After Swallowing Cocaine in an Airport Lounge

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2019

Jun 04 2019

The lounge is after security and passport control, so it’s unlikely she’d have been stopped prior to her flight. However if she was thinking at all clearly she may have been worried about holding onto the cocaine while heading through immigration formalities at the Dubai airport.

So this woman traveling solo decided to swallow $75 worth of cocaine while drinking champagne in the Priority Pass-accessible Aspire Lounge at the Manchester airport.

American Airlines Won’t Fly Washington Dulles – London Heathrow

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2019

Jun 04 2019

Swapping which carrier in the revenue-sharing joint venture operates which route could both match capacity to market and better optimize schedules for customer demand. One theoretical option to do this was having American operate out of Washington Dulles.

That was the rumor a year ago. However sources at American Airlines tell me that is now off the table.

British Airways Visa is Being Revamped, New Benefits Coming This Fall

20% Bonus Transferring American Express Points to Qantas

New Restriction on Transferring American Express Membership Rewards Points to Friends and Family

How to Access American’s Old Calendar Search Tool for Better Award Results

The Best All-Inclusive Hotel Redemptions

55,000 Mile Lufthansa Business Class Roundtrip Awards

Inside Delta’s Brand New Tumi Business Class Amenity Kits (Plus Something for Coach Too!)

Today is the Last Day for Most Americans to Book Cuba Travel if They Want to Go

42 Year Old Mother, Teacher Died After Swallowing Cocaine in an Airport Lounge

American Airlines Won’t Fly Washington Dulles – London Heathrow

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]