Jan
11
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.
Airing Marriott’s Dirty Laundry and a 777 Made Out of Paper
New Pre-Reclined Airline Seats are Awful – But They’re Just a Symptom of the Real Problem
Jan
11
2018
Two weeks ago I wrote that British Airways is introducing seats with 29 inches of pitch and no recline. That’s an inch less space than Ryanair offers from seat back to seat back.
Since word of BA’s new seats without recline came out the buzz word has been that they’re pre-reclined, a phrase I first heard from former Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza. It’s a silly statement, but it’s also true that their seats aren’t completely upright.
American Airlines Flight Attendants Will Start Offering Onboard Compensation This Month
Jan
11
2018
The idea of compensating customers onboard is hardly new. You can contact customer relations after a flight, you can even get a proactive email from an airline after a flight, but the immediacy of onboard compensation can quell problems while you’re still stuck in a metal tube and frustrated.
American Airlines is rolling out this capability next month, loading iSolve software onto flight attendant tablets.
Delta Adds Minimum Spend Requirement to Elite Status Challenges, United Doesn’t
Jan
10
2018
American Airlines status challenges cost money to sign up for and include a minimum spend requirement although the airline also occasionally will directly status match a United or Delta top tier elite member.
In a rare instance of Delta following American (although to be fair Delta was first with minimum spend for elite status) their elite status challenge program requires minimum spend not just minimum travel. And there’s on other change as well.
Redemptions for Kimpton Hotels Now Live at IHG Rewards Club
Jan
10
2018
IHG folded Kimpton and its Karma Rewards program into IHG Rewards Club. In the process they sanitized the benefits offered to elites, although they’re maintaining Kimpton’s top ‘Inner Circle’ level as an invitation-only program similar to Intercontinental properties and Royal Ambassador, with no public criteria for how members will earn it.
The upside to all of this is supposed to be for IHG Rewards Club members generally, more nice and interesting properties to use there points at. And that is now live on the IHG website.
Star Alliance Member EVA Air Introducing New Amenities to All Classes
Jan
10
2018
There are a number of minor service changes that EVA Air is making. But the fact that they’re paying attention to the minor details like this is part of what makes them a quality carrier. They offer one of the better business class products in the world, and good service throughout the cabin.
There’s new pajamas and even menu covers in business class, new bedding in premium economy, and even gourmet snacks in coach on Hong Kong flights.
Frequent Flyer’s Scam Ends Badly and the Worst Gate in America
Jan
10
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.
Air Travel in Real Life Comedy Sketch
Jan
10
2018
Tripp and Tyler have a new ‘in real life’ video, along the lines of email in real life (4.2 million views) and every meeting ever (1.2 million views).
The conceit is that passengers are all in an SUV driving but the experience is portrayed just like a flight.
Torture Prison Ritz-Carlton Riyadh Re-opens to Guests for a Very Special Valentine’s Day
Jan
10
2018
In early November Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia moved to consolidate power, arresting senior princes, the wealthy, and former government leaders under the banner of a new anti-corruption campaign.
The high profile prisoners were held inside the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh. All guests on property were unilaterally kicked out, reservations dishonored. But guests will apparently be welcomed back for Valentine’s Day.
IHG Guts Best Rate Guarantee, Eliminates Free Nights, Gives 24% Back in Points Instead
Jan
10
2018
Hotel Best Rate Guarantees are mostly vaporware. Hotel chains want you to book directly through them because it costs them less to make a reservation themselves than it does to pay a commission to Expedia or other online travel sites (or travel agents). So they want you to believe you’ll get the best rate booking direct.
Best rate gurantees are largely a marketing claim rather than a promise, and they generally contain so much fine print and so many hoops as to be meaningless (on purpose).
