View from the Wing

Should Most People Ditch Airline Miles as Credit Card Rewards?

by Gary Leff on July 24, 2018

Jul 24 2018

When it comes to domestic awards airlines are rarely going to give you 2 cents a point in value. And you’re still stuck hunting and pecking for award space rather than taking the flights you want.

As award charts devalue, and airlines charge more and more points for awards (especially when saver seats aren’t available) while paid tickets have often gotten cheaper using points to directly pay for travel makes more and more sense. In an era of regular $300-$400 roundtrips to Europe it can still make sense to pay for travel with credit card points even when it no longer makes sense to do so with airline miles.

American Airlines is Surveying Elites About How to Change Upgrades

by Gary Leff on July 24, 2018

Jul 24 2018

Loyalty programs are having a hard time delivering cherished upgrades to elites, they’re monetizing premium cabins more than ever before, so what does the future look like for the all-important recognition component of airline elite status?

American Airlines is surveying elites with these questions to help them decide.

Thanks to Reader Help I’ve Got My New Travel Laptop, the HP Spectre X360

by Gary Leff on July 24, 2018

Jul 24 2018

I’ve been using an HP Spectre X360 and I think it’s great. A couple of months ago I asked for reader advice on getting a new laptop. I use one machine so it has to be able to function at home and on the road, for work and for watching movies on planes.

Battery life matters a lot, I carry it everywhere, and I want to be able to open it and even use it in coach.

Watch Out for This Fraudulent Uber Charge and Protect Your Passwords at the Border

by Gary Leff on July 24, 2018

Jul 24 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.

Delta Puts Domestic Coach Award On Sale For… 26,000 Miles

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2018

Jul 23 2018

Delta is running an award sale they seem to have changed from offering a set of routes at a discount each month to each week.

Salt Lake City – Tampa is a deal or discount at ‘just’ 26,000 miles roundtrip. So much for the 25,000 mile award.

With American Scaling Back in New York Their Premium Transcon Business Centers on LA

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2018

Jul 23 2018

premium business for American airlines is increasingly centered around LA rather than New York, which is what happens when you scale back in what’s perhaps the most important air market in the world.

The airline’s Vice President – Planning Vasu Raja suggests they don’t have a lot more opportunity today for extra premium domestic flying any plans for lie flat 757s domestically notwithstanding.

United Changes Policy, More Flexible Allowing Inflight Photo and Video

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2018

Jul 23 2018

If passengers hadn’t recorded video of Dr. David Dao being dragged off a United flight, and also of his bloody return, do you think United would have ever changed its story from ‘apologizing for having to re-accommodate passengers’ to declaring the events truly horrific?

The widespread use of cell phone video has become important to document events and create proof when bad things happen.

8500 Miles in Online Shopping Bonuses

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2018

Jul 23 2018

Several online shopping portals are offering bonus miles right now. Start your shopping on their site, click their link to the store you’re going to buy from, and earn miles for the purchase.

It still pays to check to see which store offers the best deal at the merchant you’re using. I frequently start my shopping at EV Reward, searching the store I’m going to use, and comparing how many miles (or percentage cash back) I will get for the purchase going through different shopping sites.

Here’s Why Aircraft Cleaners Get On Planes While Passengers are Still Trying to Get Off

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2018

Jul 23 2018

Airlines could schedule longer ground time for aircraft, but that’s expensive. I’m not sure that’s how I’d most want them to invest in passenger experience since it would ultimately mean buying more planes for the same flight schedule. Ultimately I’m just glad they clean the planes at all.

Least and Most Secure Airport Wifi and a Look at Air Force One’s Classic Design

by Gary Leff on July 22, 2018

gary standing next to a flight attendant

Jul 22 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.

Should Most People Ditch Airline Miles as Credit Card Rewards?

American Airlines is Surveying Elites About How to Change Upgrades

Thanks to Reader Help I’ve Got My New Travel Laptop, the HP Spectre X360

Watch Out for This Fraudulent Uber Charge and Protect Your Passwords at the Border

Delta Puts Domestic Coach Award On Sale For… 26,000 Miles

With American Scaling Back in New York Their Premium Transcon Business Centers on LA

United Changes Policy, More Flexible Allowing Inflight Photo and Video

8500 Miles in Online Shopping Bonuses

Here’s Why Aircraft Cleaners Get On Planes While Passengers are Still Trying to Get Off

Least and Most Secure Airport Wifi and a Look at Air Force One’s Classic Design

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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]