What 2018 Taught Us What to Expect in 2019 The Future of Credit Card Rewards There’s a reasonable risk of recession some time in 2019. The Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates. Together that means higher cost of capital for banks and greater repayment risk on the credit they extend. As a result I see approval standards for premium rewards cards tightening. Initial cardmember bonuses remain crucial to attracting customers and demonstrating to them that the card has value quickly, in order to encourage moving a new card top of wallet. The fact that Barclays wasn’t successful with Arrival Premier moving consumers to a model of rewarding them after they’ve proven their value to the bank means that issuers can’t move away from big up front rewards. I continue to be impressed by how…
Delta’s New Color Coded Boarding is Live, Internal Memo Admits They’re Trying to Upsell You
Jan
28
2019
When Delta announced a new boarding process last month I gave it only a minor note since there’s very little actual change despite the hype about colors, simplicity and a better experience.
In an internal memo to employees Delta explains the strategy of their new boarding process — including making it clear to customers what they’re buying when they spend more.
The One Flight in America to Avoid More Than Any Other
Jan
28
2019
Starting in May American Airlines is launching what may be the worst flight in the world, Miami to Brasilia in South America with a Boeing 737 MAX. The flight is blocked at over seven and a half hours and spans 3600 miles.
Now American Airlines is launching a domestic flight that’s nearly as rough because it takes the same product and flies it nearly as long without leaving the country.
Robots to Provide Airport Parking This August and Photos as Southwest Prepares to Launch Hawaii
Jan
28
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.
Breakdown: Woman Can’t Face the Idea of Four Hours in a United Coach Middle Seat
Jan
27
2019
Every single day an inner battle boils in the skies, just below the service, threatening to bubble over.
A passenger videotaped a woman melting down after boarding her United flight. She said she had four hours ahead of her in a middle seat. She declares “I can’t do this.” She complains also about the size of the two passengers on either side of her. She says she’s small in comparison (she isn’t), “I eat salad.”
But that’s not what makes this story absolutely perfect. There’s an Easter egg in the video.
25% Transfer Bonus from Citibank to Turkish Miles & Smiles Through February 20
Jan
27
2019
It’s worth a reminder as well that Turkish Airlines offers some great award redemptions year-round. They add fuel surcharges onto redemptions, their pricing is very reasonable. Just told tell anyone you’re a Gülenist when you redeem your points.
Marriott’s One Shot Deal For Lifetime 75 Night Status Has Posted
Jan
27
2019
Under the new Marriott program all lifetime elites kept their current lifetime status from either program and everyone had until December 31 to earn lifetime status under old program rules despite the new program requiring more elite nights than Starwood had insisted upon and no longer required minimum points for status as Marriott had.
One quirk of the new program though is that it will not offer lifetime status higher than Platinum (50 nights). Legacy Marriott lifetime Platinums were 75 night platinums so got to keep lifetime 75 night elite. Starwood members with similar lifetime activity nearly lost their cookies over this.
A New Logo is Going on American Airlines Planes, and What It Says May Surprise You
Jan
27
2019
In September American Airlines was named a 5 Star Global Airline by the Airline Passenger Experience Association.
When you board American Airlines flights you’ll notice a new logo being added to their planes, beneath the oneworld logo. These new decals promote their ‘five star’ status, as they explained to employees this week.
Why Air Traffic Controllers Started Calling In Sick, Ending the Shutdown and United Wifi T-Shirts
Jan
27
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 a Tornado Touch Down and Blow Aircraft and Buses at Antalya Airport
Jan
26
2019
A tornado struck Antalya airport in Turkey today and it was captured on film heading across the airport “travelling between international Terminal 1 and the threshold of runway 18C.”
The storm manages to move “a Corendon Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8, an Onur Air Airbus, and another 737 in the colours of tour operator Detur.” Airport buses and other vehicles were overturned.
