China is always ‘the next big thing.’ That was true 10 years ago and it seems like it will be true 10 years from now.
Airlines are betting big on China, since the U.S. and China don’t have Open Skies airlines have to fight for the best routes and then squat on them hoping they’ll be more valuable in the future. In a sense it’s like Havana service but with bigger stakes.
Last year there was a report that Emirates and Etihad were considering merging. Then in the fall Emirates CEO Tim Clark said he was open to working with Etihad, and offered a non-denial denial about a likely merger.
Now there’s a new modest agreement the two airlines have entered into — signed by their CEOs.
“Enhancements” are the bane of every frequent flyer’s existence. For years that word has been mocked because every devaluation, every cut, every dimunition in service is described as an enhancement. It may also be described as the result of “listening to customers.”
Hilton wants guests to stay with the program and have spent a lot of time making small points balances useful. And this month they’re introducing a suite of new American Express credit cards with really strong benefits.
However today they’re announcing improvements for elite members — how they earn points, earn status, and gift status as well.
Etihad has been selling access to their business class lounge in Melbourne, Australia for AU$99. However they’ve dropped the price for economy passengers to use the lounge down to AU$75.
And anyone inside the lounge can now reserve the private Residence lounge for just AU$40 additional.
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.
The San Luis Obispo Tribune carries what may be the best headline ever about a Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Myers, Florida to Detroit on Thursday night: “He reeked of alcohol and peed all over the plane. But that’s not what got him arrested, police say”
The man reportedly drank at the airport prior to his flight. He “nodded off in a chair by his gate” but things began to go downhill when he woke up. A gate agent walked by and smelled alcohol but allowed him to board anyway. That’s always a good idea.
Platinum Pro requires 75,000 miles flown or 90 segments and a minimum of $9000 in elite qualifying dollars. Platinum Pros receive an 80% bonus on earned miles from flying and unlimited complimentary domestic upgrades (rather than needing 500 mile upgrade certificates on flights 500 miles and over).
Platinum Pros now also get confirmed same day flight changes.
They claim Boston – Cincinnati and Nashville – Seattle are on sale at 27,000 miles roundtrip for a saver award. Raleigh – Seattle and Salt Lake City – Seattle are on sale at 28,000 miles roundtrip. So much for the 25,000 mile domestic roundtrip saver award.
Hyatt is pricing several properties for less than the cash and points award chart says they should be. We’ll call this ‘an unadvertised sale’ and one I don’t expect to last for long.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
