Confirmed Changes to Citi Prestige Card: Becomes Fantastic for Spending While Gutting Benefits

citi bank
Nov 09 2018

The Citi Prestige Card is retooling, with various changes rolling out over the coming 10 months. The changes will make this a very good card for spending, not such a good card for benefits, which is the opposite of how I used to view the product when it came with American Airlines lounge access and Priority Pass along with free rounds of golf and unlimited 4th night free on hotel stays.

Continue Reading »

You Can Now Go Through Security Even If You’re Not Flying at Two Major Airports

outside airport
Nov 09 2018

Passengers want to accompany friends and family to the gate. Airports want more people shopping and dining, they earn a percentage of the revenue at all the merchants at the airport. And by the way airlines usually share in this revenue, too.

The TSA wants to limit the number of people going through security. They also want to limit the bags they have to screen at the checkpoint.

As of today a second major US airport will allow passengers to clear security without a same day boarding pass.

Continue Reading »

Marriott Changes Program Terms to Exclude Platinum Breakfast at Two High Profile Hotels

art installation
Nov 09 2018

A loyalty program promises benefits in the future for your business today. It’s fundamentally based on trust. So one of the things I hate the most, even more than changes without notice, is changes that the program doesn’t even tell you about.

Marriott has just made changes to Platinum breakfast, participating properties, and earning points on spending at hotels when not a registered guest.

Continue Reading »

Why Do First Class Passengers Board First — Rather Than Last?

overhead bin
Nov 08 2018

I often say that you do not want to board first. You want to board ‘not last’ so that the plane hasn’t run out of overhead bin space by the time you get on. Boarding early is about one thing only: not having to gate check your carry on bag.

That’s why I absolutely love a quick overnight, and on a two night trip sometimes stretch myself to travel with just my laptop bag, so that I don’t need overhead bin space. I can show up at the airpprt later. I can work productively in the lounge. And I don’t have to rush boarding. As someone that values every 5 minutes in my day (I really do keep myself that busy), this matters to me.

Continue Reading »