Fare Alert: Business Class to Iceland from $740 Roundtrip

by Gary Leff

iceland
May 12 2019

Icelandair is offering business class between the US and Reykjavik from $740 roundtrip. I frequently see US East Coast – Iceland for around $1800 round trip. This is a much better fare, and deep discounts are available even from farther West where prices are generally higher. And the great thing is this deal is even available during summer, which is a great time to visit Iceland!

You can fly from Boston ($740), Washington ($790), Montreal ($740), Chicago ($740), Orlando ($860), Tamps ($860), Vancouver ($820), Denver ($840), and Seattle ($860).

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Best Alaska Airlines Visa Offer I’ve Seen in a Long Time: 40,000 Miles + $100 Credit

by Gary Leff

alaska airlines plane
May 12 2019

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature is offering 40,000 Mileage Plan miles and a $100 statement credit after $2000 spend within 3 months. The card has a $75 annual fee.

The value proposition for Alaska miles of course is their myriad airline partnerships and reasonable award chart. Cathay Pacific (which Alaska admittedly has less access to award seats on than other Cathay partners do) is an especially great value as is Japan Airlines.

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Qatar Airways is the Best Airline in the World. Second and Third Place May Surprise You.

by Gary Leff

first class cabin
May 11 2019

There are several services that will do the heavy lifting for you if you’re owed compensation, in exchange for a percentage of the proceeds. Many customers can’t be bothered to deal with compensation on their own, or fight for it when an airline first denies a claim.

One such company is AirHelp, and they have their own ranking of airlines based one third each on on-time performance, their rating of service quality, and how good the airline is at honoring compensation claims.

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2 Year Old Bitten By Dog at the Centurion Lounge: Who’s Responsible?

by Gary Leff

lounge
May 11 2019

A family is suing American Express and Dallas Fort-Worth airport because their two year old was bitten by a dog in the DFW airport Centurion lounge.

It seems like the issue here ought to be between the family and the dog owner, which doesn’t likely have the deep pockets that American Express or DFW airport does. What do you think, who is at fault here and in what proportion?f

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Alaska Airlines New Mileage Partner: El Al

by Gary Leff

elal airplane
May 10 2019

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has introduced a new frequent flyer relationship with El Al.

Earning Alaska Airlines miles for travel on El Al starts July 1. It will presumably be possible to redeem Alaska Airlines miles for travel on El Al at some time in the future. Often it takes longer to get the IT in place for redemptions than for mileage-earning.

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The Barclays American Airlines Card Now Comes With a Companion Ticket as Part of Its Signup Offer

by Gary Leff

steward on plane
May 10 2019

Big changes to the Barclays American AAdvantage cards went into effect May 1. I’m looking forward to trying out the $25 per day inflight food and beverage credit from my Aviator Silver card this coming week. I’m up front, but I plan to ask for a flight attendant’s help springing for a row’s food and drinks in back. I’m going to use that benefit every single time I can because even if it doesn’t benefit me directly it will benefit some flyers’.

The Red card now has a companion ticket available to be earned after $20,000 spend as well. And it’s now also available as part of the card’s initial bonus.

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