View from the Wing

Hilton Resurrecting ‘LXR Collection’ and Picking Up 1/3 Of Starwood’s Dubai Portfolio

by Gary Leff on July 30, 2018

Jul 30 2018

Earlier in the month it was reported that Marriott-Starwood would be losing the St. Regis, Westin and W hotels in Dubai all at once. The same owner of these hotels — Al Habtoor Group — also pulled the St Regis Habtoor Polo Resort and Spa out of the chain.

Dubai was one of Starwood’s most important markets, they had a legacy Emirates partnership similar to their Delta partnership in the US and a UAE co-brand credit card. Marriott’s loss, though, appears to be Hilton’s gain.

Singer and Reality Star Scolded By Delta Captain Friday Night

by Gary Leff on July 30, 2018

Jul 30 2018

Tamar Braxton is apparently a Delta Diamond and lifetime elite, so a very experienced flyer. Prior to departure of her flight from Cincinnati on Friday night she had an altercation with crew that was taped and shared on social media.

Airline Practices Customer Service Time Travel

by Gary Leff on July 29, 2018

Jul 29 2018

JetBlue has been in the news for making a jilted bridesmaid whole after she bailed on the wedding (for which she had already invested a lot).

Some customers have taken to social media with unreasonable – nae, impossible – requests which underscore some things just aren’t an airline’s fault

Change to British Airways Upgrades and Amerlia Earhart’s Disappearance Finally Solved?

by Gary Leff on July 29, 2018

Jul 29 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.

Alaska Airlines is Making Too Much Award Space Available and It’s Hurting Their Business

by Gary Leff on July 29, 2018

Jul 29 2018

In the Alaska Airlines second quarter earnings call on Thursday Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison noted that award redemptions spiked after combining Alaska and Virgin America into a single airline,. He reported total “redemptions grew by 22%” and saver redemptions were up 40%.

American AAdvantage members gobbled up the inventory.

New TSA Program Assigns Americans Personal Air Marshals Who Report Back if They Board Last or Sleep

by Gary Leff on July 29, 2018

Jul 29 2018

The Federal Air Marshal Service is arguably the least competent law enforcement agency in the country. Naturally they are part of the TSA, which reportedly has a program to make sure air marshals don’t show up tot he airport drunk.

No air marshal has ever stopped a terrorist or hijacker since the service was founded in 1962. Although an air marshal did shoot and kill a US citizen in 2005. If something really bad did happen on a flight and an air marshal was onboard they lack the training to do anything about it.

Don’t Expect to Be Offered a Can Of Soda Onboard Soon and New Priority Pass Restaurants

by Gary Leff on July 29, 2018

Jul 29 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.

Airlines May Sacrifice Aircraft Interior Maintenance But That Doesn’t Make Them Unsafe

by Gary Leff on July 28, 2018

Jul 28 2018

Most of the things that raise concerns for airline passengers aren’t safety issues.

It’s natural for passengers to wonder if seeing broken items in the cabin means that’s also how important maintenance are being neglected. Is the aircraft safe? Except U.S. airlines really haven’t sacrificed safety even during the toughest times.

Deal of the Year 90,000 Iberia Points Now Transferrable to British Airways – With a Catch

by Gary Leff on July 28, 2018

Jul 28 2018

Oh the drama! First Iberia offered up to 90,000 points at a cost of around $300 for booking flights you never even need to take. That’s because the points were supposed to post right away, and expire if unused December 1, while flights could even be for next year.

Iberia started freezing accounts that took advantage of the promotion and coming up with reasons not to honor the deal for some members. However they honored the deal for most people and even have been unlocking some accounts and continuing to post bonus points.

American Airlines Employee Podcast on Providing Better Customer Service

by Gary Leff on July 28, 2018

Jul 28 2018

American Airlines believes that investing in product, while necessary to keep up, won’t be a sustainable advantage. All airlines can buy the same products. So the real competitive advantage has to be culture.

The airline does a weekly podcast for employees. This week’s episode is about the airline’s Elevate Training.

Hilton Resurrecting ‘LXR Collection’ and Picking Up 1/3 Of Starwood’s Dubai Portfolio

Singer and Reality Star Scolded By Delta Captain Friday Night

Airline Practices Customer Service Time Travel

Change to British Airways Upgrades and Amerlia Earhart’s Disappearance Finally Solved?

Alaska Airlines is Making Too Much Award Space Available and It’s Hurting Their Business

New TSA Program Assigns Americans Personal Air Marshals Who Report Back if They Board Last or Sleep

Don’t Expect to Be Offered a Can Of Soda Onboard Soon and New Priority Pass Restaurants

Airlines May Sacrifice Aircraft Interior Maintenance But That Doesn’t Make Them Unsafe

Deal of the Year 90,000 Iberia Points Now Transferrable to British Airways – With a Catch

American Airlines Employee Podcast on Providing Better Customer Service

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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® Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]