Dec
08
2017
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.
10,000 Miles for $16 and oneworld Elite Fast Track Offer
Warning About Booking the Park Hyatt St. Kitts
Dec
08
2017
I want to make sure everyone considering booking this property is aware of their 90 day cancellation policy.
Even using points — versus a prepaid rate — locks you in. In fact it’s worse than that, because when you don’t show up on a points booking Hyatt has you on the hook for an undisclosed amount of cash, rather than merely forfeiting the points.
Amtrak Eliminating and Reducing Discounts Effective January 9
Dec
08
2017
Amtrak is eliminating AAA and student discounts and reducing the senior discount from 15% to 10% and raising the eligibility requirement for that from 62 to 65.
The child discount will also be restricted to 1 per parent down from the current 2 per parent.
American’s Airbus A321 Retrofit Plan and Ultimate Gaming of Tripadvisor Reviews
Dec
08
2017
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.
It’s Vaporware For Now – But Hilton Could (Eventually) Be Onto Something With ‘Connected Room’
Dec
08
2017
Hilton announced their new ‘Connected Room’ concept, which is live at one hotel — the Hilton Garden Inn Memphis — sort of. They promise to add 7 hotels in the coming weeks and roll out in the U.S. only in the coming year.
So far this isn’t actually “in-app” and they don’t have all the technology vendors on board, but they have the right concept.
United Announces $3 Billion Share Buyback, Conceding Few Growth Opportunities for the Business
Dec
08
2017
United got hammered during their earnings call in October. They offered a number of metrics at an investor day a year ago, said that most of those efforts were on track, but refused to give any numbers to back up or elucidate on the claim.
Their stock is down about 15% in the last year, and about 12% since the beginning of the year.
Delta, Air France and KLM Introducing Checked Bag Fees on Flights to Europe
Dec
07
2017
Delta and their transatlantic joint venture partners are adding a first checked bag fee to their least expensive fares to and from Europe.
As American and United roll out their Basic Economy fares internationally you can expect they’ll follow Delta in short order since they generally believe Delta is smarter than they are.
African American Passenger Stands His Ground in Priority Boarding at Washington National Airport
Dec
07
2017
On Tuesday an African American man departing Washington National airport was in the priority line for boarding when – he reports – the woman behind him told him he was in the wrong place.
He told her he was in first class so he was in the right place. Apparently she persisted, complaining about the airline boarding military personnel with priority, “we paid for our seats so he still should have to wait.”
(Some) American Airlines ConciergeKey Members Can Now Gift Executive Platinum Status
Dec
07
2017
American Airlines ConciergeKey is the ‘super secret’ level that George Clooney had in Up in the Air, in some sense equivalent to United Global Services and Delta 360.
And they’ve introduced a new benefit for 2018.
IHG’s New Gamified Promotion is Out — What’s Your Offer?
Dec
07
2017
The next IHG Rewards Club promotion is up and available for registration.
They’re coming out with ‘Accelerate’ again for stays between January 1 and April 30 you earn even more points. And in some ways it’s my favorite hotel promotion — not as much for its richness as much because it is sort of fun.
