View from the Wing

American Will Still Protect You If You’re Flying on Separate Tickets and Things Go Wrong

by Gary Leff on April 24, 2019

Apr 24 2019

It’s usually risky to fly one itinerary on separate tickets. That’s because when you’re on one ticket, if you face a flight delay or cancellation the airline responsible for the irregularity has to get you to your final destination. But if you’re on separate tickets they usually don’t have to do anything more than get you as far as the end of the ticket you’re flying on.

Fortunately — in a world where little seems to go the way of the customer — American Airlines has a policy of taking care of customers connecting on separate tickets as long as one flight is with American and the next is with either American itself or a oneworld partner. And I’ve confirmed that this policy is still in force.

United is Repainting All its Planes in a New Look — That Was Just Leaked

by Gary Leff on April 24, 2019

Apr 24 2019

Nothing renews an airline like new planes but absent a giant plane order there always seems to be the thought that the airline can be refreshed by painting planes. It’s a years-long process and costly to undertake.

Ultimately though what United is unveiling is just an evolution. So for me at least it doesn’t induce a strong reaction at all, which is good compared to so many other attempts. But that leads me to wonder why bother at all?

Are the Poor Subsidizing Your Credit Card Rewards?

by Gary Leff on April 23, 2019

Apr 23 2019

A Brookings Institution piece argues that the “poor subsidize wealthier consumers” in financial transactions from checking accounts to credit card rewards. I do not think this is quite right, but let me first lay out the argument.

United CEO Oscar Munoz: Seats are Too Small and Wifi is Too Slow

by Gary Leff on April 23, 2019

Apr 23 2019

United’s CEO Munoz says they’ve reached the limit on how much they can shrink seats personally I already avoid flying United coach, and would choose JetBlue or Southwest domestically and many foreign airlines internationally.

Southwest Looking at New Planes Besides the Boeing 737

by Gary Leff on April 23, 2019

Apr 23 2019

Last Thursday Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly express confidence in the Boeing 737 MAX and said they had no plans to alter their order for new jets. Southwest has more 737 MAX aircraft on order than any other airline.

At least that’s how his remarks were broadly reported, when he actually hedged a bit more. Now we learn that members of their team have been off in Europe evaluating the Airbus A220.

Greatest Travel Tip: Buy Yourself a Cheap Extra Seat for More Room – Or Even the Whole Coach Row

by Gary Leff on April 23, 2019

Apr 23 2019

You can buy more than one seat if you want extra space (ghetto premium economy or business class). The major US airlines let you do this in fact it’s one of the very best, least well known tricks in travel.

What’s surprising is how cheap it can be.

Trick to Save Miles When Redeeming Delta Miles and Earning Miles for Investing

by Gary Leff on April 23, 2019

Apr 23 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.

Watch Lightning Strike from Inside the Cabin While Passengers Endure 15 Minutes of Turbulence

by Gary Leff on April 22, 2019

Apr 22 2019

Saturday afternoon Cathay Pacific flight CX360 from Hong Kong to Shanghai took off just in advance of the worst of the region’s storms.

Lightning was filmed from inside the cabin striking one of the aircraft’s wings. It also damaged the plane’s nose. Reportedly the plane “was rattled by turbulence for a solid 15 minutes” flying through the storm.

Chase Introduces its First Points-Transfer Bonus as Competition Heats Up

by Gary Leff on April 22, 2019

Apr 22 2019

Chase’s points normally transfer one-to-one to their airline and hotel partners. However Chase is offering a 30% bonus on transfers to British Airways through June 16. This is significant because I believe it is the first time Chase has run a bonus on transfers to one of its loyalty program partners.

Cathay Pacific Flight Attendants are Being Searched to Prevent Theft of Ice Cream and Pens

by Gary Leff on April 22, 2019

Apr 22 2019

Cathay Pacific is now cracking down on flight attendants stealing from their aircraft and the list of items they’re interested in — from pens to ice cream — is surprising. Several flight attendants have been ‘caught red handed’ in searches of employees on arrival in Hong Kong.

American Will Still Protect You If You’re Flying on Separate Tickets and Things Go Wrong

United is Repainting All its Planes in a New Look — That Was Just Leaked

Are the Poor Subsidizing Your Credit Card Rewards?

United CEO Oscar Munoz: Seats are Too Small and Wifi is Too Slow

Southwest Looking at New Planes Besides the Boeing 737

Greatest Travel Tip: Buy Yourself a Cheap Extra Seat for More Room – Or Even the Whole Coach Row

Trick to Save Miles When Redeeming Delta Miles and Earning Miles for Investing

Watch Lightning Strike from Inside the Cabin While Passengers Endure 15 Minutes of Turbulence

Chase Introduces its First Points-Transfer Bonus as Competition Heats Up

Cathay Pacific Flight Attendants are Being Searched to Prevent Theft of Ice Cream and Pens

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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® For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]