Does Marriott Have Too Many Ambassador Elites?

by Gary Leff

picture with stairs around it in a hotel
May 22 2019

A reader writes in that he’s staying “at a no-name, forgettable Sheraton in a medium-sized city” where there are “3 full-service Marriott properties nearby.” A housekeeper “left her manifest.. out on her cart” and there are “3 ambassador elites on a single floor.” He thinks that says there’s something wrong.

There are rumors that some Ambassadors working for Marriott may be assigned as many as 300 top tier elite members, and there are reports of some Ambassador elites not hearing anything at all from their personal agent for months at a time.

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Tomorrow the US Will Try to Convince the World to Quickly Re-certify the Boeing 737 MAX

by Gary Leff

inside plane
May 22 2019

On Thursday, May 23rd the FAA is convening a meeting in Dallas with regulators from around the world. That’s what American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told the airline’s employees in his most recent Crew News question and answer session.

He explained “at that time the FAA is going to show the other regulators their views on the fix.” He says that the FAA “will be at least very close to re-certifying the aircraft, weeks not months.” He says not every country will go along and blames “politics are at play” for any reluctance.

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VIDEO: Spirit Airlines Passenger Lights Up at His Seat, Man Across the Aisle Narcs Him Out

by Gary Leff

spirit plane
May 22 2019

United Airlines introduced the first ‘non-smoking section’ on its planes in 1971. Smoking on US domestic flights was first banned in 1988 (for flights up to two hours) with all domestic and international flights required to be smoke-free by 2000. Since passengers sometimes disobey the law you’ll still find ashtrays in lavatories.

Usually though passengers aren’t so brazen as to just sit at their seat and light up. But our hero on a Spirit Airlines flight decided to throw caution to the wind. And it was captured on video.

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United Discounting Economy Plus Seats

by Gary Leff

airline seats
May 22 2019

United is offering 35% off economy plus (extra legroom) seat assignments for June travel if you pay by May 27. Not valid for basic economy tickets.

They actually ran 50% off for travel during the second half of March. United, it seems, upsells to economy plus seats the same way that American Airlines sells miles. They maintain a high regular price so they can frequently offer seats at a discount.

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