The American-US Airways Merger is Creating the Opposite of Synergies

by Gary Leff

Nov 24 2017

Adding flight attendants to planes to make flight attendants happy temporarily as a ‘make good’ so they can fly cool places is the very definition of crazy.

When mergers are consummated they promise ‘synergies’ which mean cost reductions as a result of reduced staffing. Adding a flight attendant to A330 routes to make flight attendants happy because they haven’t yet finished the merger four years in is an example of how this merger is creating whatever the opposite of synergies are.

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American Airlines Offers Miles at ‘Regular Price’ for Black Friday

by Gary Leff

airline seat
Nov 24 2017

After the merger with US Airways they took the Dividend Miles approach of putting miles on sale three fourths of the year. The only purpose that ‘regular price’ serves is to be a reference point that allows them to announce a huge (always on) sale.

For Black Friday they’re selling miles at 1.77 cents apiece. They’ve sold miles for less in the past.

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There are 3 Ways to Get Value From a Rewards Credit Card

by Gary Leff

first class cabin
Nov 23 2017

There are (3) kinds of value you can get from a credit card, beyond just making it easy to buy stuff (and — if you must — finance purchases short term but then you shouldn’t be focused on rewards).

It’s important to know the reason you’re getting a card, and use it accordingly. Which kind of value does a card provide? Are you getting it just because there’s a compelling offer? Are you getting it because of the benefits? Or do you actually want to keep it top of wallet.

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