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 Introduces Elite Status Family Leave Benefit
Several frequent flyer programs around the world let you put your status on pause, or extend your status, when you experience major life events. It’s not nearly as common in the U.S., perhaps because we’re not as focused here on accommodating new births or medical issues as people are in Europe or Australia.
It makes all the sense in the world for a travel loyalty program, though. A customer who was incredibly valuable before having a child is likely to be incredibly valuable once the get back on the road.
Hilton Will Give You 90 Days Free Gold or Diamond Status (Keep It Easily Through March 2021)
Have an important stay coming up where elite status — club lounge access or breakfast, a room upgrade — would be nice? Hilton will give you free 90 days of status if you have elite status with any chain.
No Takers for Alitalia and the Disaster of Cuba Travel
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.
Sir Richard Branson Negotiating to Take Over a Caribbean Airline and Launch U.S. Flights
Branson has a well-known love of the Caribbean and is considering flying between the US and several Caribbean islands through a new investment. He’s reportedly in negotiations to invest in and grow LIAT.
Passengers Booted from Air New Zealand Flight for Refusing to Watch the Safety Video
A woman and her travel companion were removed from Air New Zealand flight NZ424 from Wellington to Auckland for refusing to watch the airline’s safety video.
The woman was first reading a book and then looking at her phone. When the pilot announced they’d be returning to the gate, though, the woman did start talking on her phone — she “loudly tried to make a booking with Jetstar.”
Andaz West Hollywood Discovered a Loophole in the World of Hyatt Program
Andaz West Hollywood appears to be placing a 3-night minimum stay requirement on their entry level room types throughout the year.
What seems odd at first glance, until you dig deeper, is that they are imposing these 3 night minimum restrictions on both revenue bookings (paid reservations) and award bookings (free night awards) for the 1 King Bed and 2 Queen room types. And they are not doing this for the rest of their rooms.
Aeroplan Class Action Settlement Putting Miles in Accounts
In 2009 a class action lawsuit was filed over the change in expiration rules. The case settled last summer. Aeroplan has now posted miles to member accounts.
If nothing else this reset the expiration of miles in my Aeroplan account. Not as lucrative as the British Airways fuel surcharge class action but better than a hole in the head, as my grandfather used to say.
Barclays AAdvantage Business Card Bonus Now at a Record 75,000 Miles
The AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard has a new best-ever offer with an initial bonus up to 75,000 miles.
What’s cool is that you can also get the American AAdvantage small business card from Citibank, the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard, and it has a best-ever initial offer too.
Here are the Top 11 Things Business Travelers Expense, and How Much They Spend on Each
SpendSmart has released new data on the top brands expensed by business travelers based on $3.3 billion in transactions during 2018. Unsurprisingly the most money is spent on airlines, and the largest airlines are among the most frequent vendors expensed by business travelers.
But.. McDonald’s makes the list?