View from the Wing

Most Star Alliance Airlines Again Bookable Using Aeroplan Miles

by Gary Leff on September 12, 2018

Sep 12 2018

Aeroplan has been unable to book award travel on several Star Alliance airlines since late August. I reached out to them to see what was going on and they assured me that the issue was a technical problem, that they were working on it, and that they wanted to get it fixed quickly.

However Aeroplan seemed confident that wouldn’t be the case here. I wanted to see the proof that this would be fixed quickly, rather than taking them at their word. It turns out that they fixed it quickly (mostly).

American’s First Boeing 787 is in the Shop to Have Some Business Class Seats Removed

by Gary Leff on September 12, 2018

Sep 12 2018

The first Boeing 787-8 that American Airlines received is the first one to be receiving a premium economy retrofit, and will become the first one in the fleet with only 20 seats up front.

On September 4, American’s Boeing 787-8 registration number N800AN arrived at Chicago O’Hare from London Heathrow. Then it flew the next day to Everett, Washington’s Paine Field. And it’s been sitting in the Pacific Northwest ever since.

Emirates Will Add a Premium Economy Cabin, But Offers One Reason Why It Won’t Be ‘Too Good’

by Gary Leff on September 12, 2018

Sep 12 2018

Brian Sumers interviewed Emirates CEO Tim Clark who revealed to him that the airline plans to launch a premium economy cabin.

He wants to make sure premium economy isn’t too nice because they don’t want it to be viewed as a ‘good enough’ alternative to pricier business class.

American Airlines Changes Boarding Times for Some 737s, Won’t Tell Customers

by Gary Leff on September 12, 2018

Sep 12 2018

American boards earlier than the time they put on boarding passes for a couple of different aircraft types. This is a known issue at American, and one they’ve chosen not to spend on the IT to fix. It’s one reason you may show up at the designated boarding time and find your flight halfway boarded.

Why Hotel Chains Have Us Over a Barrel and the Single Best Disney Redemption Ever?

by Gary Leff on September 12, 2018

Sep 12 2018

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.

Marriott Launches First Promotion of New Program, Register Now

by Gary Leff on September 12, 2018

Sep 12 2018

Marriott’s fall and early winter promotion is out: .

The idea is that this is the first promotion that is run across all of Marriott’s participating 29 brands. Of course prior to combining programs August 18th they had largely aligned their efforts already, but this is one promotion for the new program.

Coming Thursday: Short-term 35% Transfer Bonus from Marriott to Aeroplan

by Gary Leff on September 11, 2018

Sep 11 2018

Aeroplan shared that there is going to be a 35% bonus on transfers from the Marriott programs (Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Ritz-Carlton Rewards) running September 13-17. The offer will not appear on the Aeroplan website until Thursday, September 13 but the information is solid and hopefully this extra day gives you more time to think through whether you want to take advantage of this.

Passenger Shares What It Was Like to Be on United Flight During Reported Bomb Hoax

by Gary Leff on September 11, 2018

Sep 11 2018

Four hundred British schools were evacuated in March and a United flight from London to San Francisco was quarantined because of a rash of bomb threats which a teenager admitted to making. He was also responsible for a denial of service attack on ProtonMail.

One passenger on United flight 949 shares his perspective on the incident, arriving in San Francisco and being take off the aircraft.

Report: Don’t Expect Much Elite Recognition From Marriott in the Mideast

by Gary Leff on September 11, 2018

picture with stairs around it in a hotel

Sep 11 2018

Local reader Vineet S. called every Marriott property in Dubai and Abu Dhabi – over 50 hotels – to ask how they’re handling elite benefits. He spoke with each hotel’s front office manager or higher.

Here are his findings about what the new Marriott program means for members. He concludes, “AUH/DXB/Asia regionally had some of the best compliance with T&C, if this is the condition here…”

Aeroplan is Working to Restore Option to Book Awards on Several Star Alliance Airlines

by Gary Leff on September 11, 2018

Sep 11 2018

On or about August 25 Aeroplan, the frequent flyer program that was spun off from Air Canada that the airline is buying back, began having issues booking award tickets on several Star Alliance partner airlines.

I reached out to Aeroplan to find out why redemption on carriers such as Thai, Swiss, Air New Zealand, and LOT Polish has become unavailable.

Most Star Alliance Airlines Again Bookable Using Aeroplan Miles

American’s First Boeing 787 is in the Shop to Have Some Business Class Seats Removed

Emirates Will Add a Premium Economy Cabin, But Offers One Reason Why It Won’t Be ‘Too Good’

American Airlines Changes Boarding Times for Some 737s, Won’t Tell Customers

Why Hotel Chains Have Us Over a Barrel and the Single Best Disney Redemption Ever?

Marriott Launches First Promotion of New Program, Register Now

Coming Thursday: Short-term 35% Transfer Bonus from Marriott to Aeroplan

Passenger Shares What It Was Like to Be on United Flight During Reported Bomb Hoax

Report: Don’t Expect Much Elite Recognition From Marriott in the Mideast

Aeroplan is Working to Restore Option to Book Awards on Several Star Alliance Airlines

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]