Feb
01
2019
The FAA did work for Southwest Airlines during the government shutdown and some other airlines are furious about it.
The FAA Signed Off on New Southwest Planes During the Shutdown – But Not New Delta Planes
oneworld Alliance Planning Its Own Network of Airport Lounges
Feb
01
2019
Currently both Star Alliance and SkyTeam run their own lounges at some major airports.. This is a different management model rather than a new customer benefit, although it may lead to there being a single larger lounge in a major airport where alliance member airlines co-locate in the same terminal, versus multiple smaller lounges operated by individual carriers.
oneworld hasn’t done this to date but that’s changing.
3 Routes Where You Can Book Europe Business Class For Under 46,000 Chase, Amex or Citi Points
Jan
31
2019
New variable Air France KLM Flying Blue points pricing is live and often makes no sense. Some awards are more expensive, some less expensive. Instead of a hidden award chart they have a calculator.
But they still offer various routes at 25% or 50% off each month and new ones are up for booking in February and travel in March and April.
American Express 1099’ing Referral Bonuses
Jan
31
2019
Apparently American Express is sending out 1099s to people who referred customers to their credit cards.
Just because Aemrican Express tells the IRS that Hilton points are worth 1.25 cents apiece doesn’t mean that’s the revenue on which you owe tax. You can dispute the value and pay less tax as a result. Here’s the process to do it.
Why Food Tastes Bad on Planes, and How to Fix That
Jan
31
2019
A video goes through the history of inflight meals and some of its challenges. And by the way, coffee is miserable on a plane and many wines don’t work either. For at least 9 years I’ve been recommending tomato juice as an onboard drink, with the added benefit that it’s an excellent source of vitamin C and vodka.
Bear in mind that not all airline food is bad…
How Much Are Miles Really Worth? Assigning a Value to Points from Each Program
Jan
31
2019
What is the value of miles and points by airline, hotel and credit card program? Miles used to be thought to be worth 2 cents. I think that conventional wisdom developed out of the idea that a cross country flight cost about $500… or 25,000 miles. 25 years ago that was generally true, and award availability wasn’t really a problem either.
Today the CEO of Delta talks about their miles being worth a penny. When American Airlines awards a mile for travel they book one cent of liability on their books under new accounting rules adopted for 2018. Those rules required the airline to accrue the expected value of transportation to be provided in exchange for their miles.
How Your Flight Attendant Really Feels About You and Amex’s Lawsuit Against Tori Spelling
Jan
31
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.
50% Off: Business Class Awards to Europe From Just 17,000 Miles
Jan
31
2019
Iberia is offering 50% off award bookings if you ticket by February 10 and travel between February 1 and April 15. This works for all cabins including business class as long as you’re traveling on Iberia. That means business class between the US and Spain from just 17,000 miles each way.
Jury Deliberations Start in Case of Customs Agent Hazing on a ‘Rape Table’
Jan
30
2019
Two years ago we learned that working at Customs is worse than TSA, at least at Newark, where new employees are hazed at a ‘rape table’. They’re also threatened with guns.
Hazing takes place to the theme of Jackass playing in the background.
Hyatt Adds 56 Luxury Hotel Redemption Options to its Portfolio
Jan
30
2019
Small Luxury Hotels of the World is a collection of independent properties, and it’s more of a booking relationship than a hotel chain. And Hyatt’s deal is something similar to what they have with MGM’s M life Rewards — let’s share customers, offering points-earning and redemption.
With over 500 hotels in 80 countries Small Luxury Hotels of the World held the potential to significantly grow the World of Hyatt footprint. In December they initially offered earning and redemption at 54 hotels. Now they’re adding 56 more properties.
