Jul
20
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.
What Made the Boeing 757 So Extraordinary
Watch Out for Non-Cancellable Hotel Rewards: Reader Got a Surprise $7000 Charge
Jul
20
2019
A reader contacted me several weeks ago about a fairly traumatic situation. She had booked an award stay over the phone at the Andaz Papagayo in Costa Rica for the end of December. She made the reservation by phone nearly a year in advance. Then in May she figured out she couldn’t make the trip work, so she cancelled the booking. A month later she discovered a $7000 charge on her credit card from the property.
While we think of most award reservations as fully cancellable, in fact awards usually carry the same cancel rules as paid rates. So if standard paid rates at a property come with a 60 day cancellation policy, not uncommon for remote resorts during peak season, award stays may also. I do not recall ever seeing an award stay that wasn’t cancellable at all booked 11 months in advance.
Confirmed: American Airlines Prepared to Offer Free Inflight WiFi
Jul
20
2019
A week ago I covered a rumor that American Airlines is considering offering free inflight wifi. Now with additional confirmation from well-placed company sources I can report that the airline expects to offer onboard internet for free.
IHG Doubles Down on New 100,000 Point Highest Redemption Tier
Jul
20
2019
Like Hilton, now that IHG no longer tells you how much hotels should cost they aren’t telling you when they raise prices or even institute new maximum prices that are 50% higher than previous maximum prices. That’s not good for members.
The Economics of Private Jet Travel and How to Omakase
Jul
19
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.
Delta No Shows Meeting With the President, Offends Trump
Jul
19
2019
US airline CEOs were reported to be having a meeting with the President where they could press their case for protectionism.
Two things turned out to be very different than expected: Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker was there and Delta CEO Ed Bastian didn’t show up.
American’s CEO Reveals They’re Blaming Weather for Cancellations Caused By Mechanical Problems
Jul
19
2019
One consequence of American running a less reliable operation is passengers getting stranded. When the airline blames weather they aren’t responsible for costs like hotel rooms and meals. So airlines have a long history of being less than forthcoming about the true reasons behind operational problems.
American Expected to Further Gut its Partnership With Alaska Airlines
Jul
19
2019
This makes little sense from an American Airlines standpoint. The airline has largely walked away from the New York market and has only a limited presence in the Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. It’s unclear why they’d want to reduce their relevance to Bay Area customers even further, as Delta builds up not just Seattle but a focus city in ex-American Airlines hub San Jose.
Are British Airways First Class Passengers About to Start Asking to Downgrade, Because Business is Better?
Jul
19
2019
BA is introducing their first refurbished Boeing 777 with business class suites with doors October 27th flying London Heathrow – New York JFK, The Boeing 777 has first class, and will continue to in the new configuration.
However BA’s current first class seat is wholly uncompetitive. The current first class product has no doors for privacy, while the new business class will offer this.
KLM Publicly Opposes Breastfeeding, Same Sex Couples Holding Hands
Jul
19
2019
Boy what a rough past week for KLM in social media as a result of three separate instances of self-pwnage.
The first incident is dumb, airlines don’t question the safety of air travel, that’s been a basic rule since the earliest days. However the second and third instances may be more revealing than they may seem at first blush — culturally and institutionally rather than saying something unique to the airline itself.
