Apr
03
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.
Double Miles and Using Instagram to Eat for Free
Las Vegas Hotels Discover Fraudulent Resort Fees are Hurting Their Business
Apr
03
2019
“Resort fees” are extra charges, on top of a room rate, that aren’t optional. In other words they’re part of the price of a room, but the hotel advertises a lower price instead. That’s on face deceptive.
I understand the logic of charging a resort fee in a market where everyone else is doing it. If a hotel charges a $250 room rate and a $30 resort fee, that’s $280 a night. If another hotel charges $270 a night they’re actually $10 cheaper — but appear at first glance to the consumer to be more expensive. Once resort fees are standard in a market, a hotel loses by not charging them.
What’s become especially egregious in recent years is the spread of resort fees to new markets, under different marketing. City hotels aren’t resorts and instead they promote “destination fees.”
What You Can Do With 44,000 Miles and New Hampton Inn Waffle-Infused Shampoo
Apr
02
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.
Passenger Boards a 737 to Find No One Else Bought Tickets and He Has Plane to Himself
Apr
02
2019
On March 16th a Lithuanian man was flying from Vilnius, Lithuania to Bergamo, Italy and found he had the entire Boeing 737-800 to himself. He found the 925 mile flight to be a ‘once in a lifetime experience’.
3 Key Points from United Airlines President Scott Kirby
Apr
02
2019
Chris McGinnis conducted an interesting interview with United Airlines President Scott Kirby.
There’s a lot here for United flyers, especially those based on the West Coast. For me, though, three things especially stood out.
American Airlines Mechanics Opening Passenger Bags to Insert Union Flyers
Apr
02
2019
When you check your bags with an airline you expect that it will arrive at its destination. While the TSA has carte blanche to open your bags, the airline isn’t supposed to. When it happens it’s a huge breach of trust.
However acrimonious labor negotiations at American Airlines seem to now be affecting passengers, as a customer reports finding a union flyer in a checked bag after picking it up last Thursday at baggage claim.
Delta and American Express Re-up Credit Card Deal Through 2029
Apr
02
2019
I view Delta cards as strong, of course for their initial bonus and for the benefits they convey to passengers (especially those without elite status) flying the airline semi-regularly. I do not view them as a strong tool for spending, independent of weakness in the SkyMiles program itself.
That’s because even if you want to earn SkyMiles through credit card spend, American Express offers cards that earn Membership Rewards points faster than Delta miles, and Membership Rewards points will continue to transfer to Delta as well as having the option of being moved to other programs as-needed.
Nigerians are Ordering Pizza and Having it Delivered on British Airways
Apr
02
2019
Testifying before a Nigerian Senate committee last week the country’s Minister of Agriculture called out wealthy Nigerians whom he says are ordering pizza from London.
The daily British Airways Boeing 747 from London Heathrow to Lagos, Nigeria departs London at 11:20 a.m. and arrives at 5:55 p.m. — just in time for dinner.
5 Things American Airlines is Telling Employees About the New Airbus A321neo
Apr
01
2019
American’s first Airbus A321neo is about to enter commercial service on Tuesday, April 2. They have 100 of the ‘new engine option’ planes on order (22 of these deliveries have been deferred). It’s being outfitted in a new ‘dense’ configuration along the lines of the American Airlines 737 MAX, which has the airline’s new standard domestic interior.
In a communication to employees the airline is highlighting five features of the new aircraft.
A New Place to Put a Lavatory and Another Airport Bans Chick-fil-A
Apr
01
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.
