Pilot Tells Passengers to Pray as Plane Shakes ‘Likes a Washing Machine’ and Returns to Australia

Jun 25 2017

Air Asia X flight 237 from Perth, Australia to Kuala Lumpur took off shortly after its scheduled 6:50 a.m. departure time, made it out over the coast of Western Australia, and had to turn back around.

With 359 passengers onboard the Airbus A330, there was a ‘big bang’ about an hour into the flight and the plane began to ‘violently shake’. A passenger described the shaking as “like a ‘washing machine’.”

Continue Reading »

American’s 24 Hour Refund Policy Now More Generous

american-airlines-plane
Jun 24 2017

American has been less generous than Delta or United who allow 24 hour refunds regardless of how far in advance you book travel. The Department of Transportation only requires offering 24 holds or refunds for travel purchased a week or more in advance.

Last year American went from the most generous policy to the least generous one, complying only with the minimum DOT standards.

Continue Reading »

New Way to Stack Up to 2% Rebates On Top of Existing Rewards at Your Favorite Stores

Jun 23 2017

There’s a new double dipping tool that gives you points for spending money at a variety of merchants.

The great thing is that you register your credit cards and they know when you spend the money. This isn’t based on links you click. So you are still able to earn shopping portal points for your online purchases, and you still earn credit card rewards points for your purchases.

Continue Reading »

Is Qatar’s Bid for a Stake in American Airlines Real, and Would American Try to Stop It?

american airlines plane
Jun 23 2017

Normally the US would be mediating the dispute – successfully – between Qatar on the one hand and Saudi Arabia and the UAE on the other. After all, the US has a significant military base in Qatar. By not backing the Al Thanis the expected value of hosting a US base has fallen dramatically. It apparently doesn’t buy a country much protection.

New battle lines are being drawn in the Mideast. Qatar’s move to acquire a stake in American Airlines is part of a much larger story than simply an investment in a U.S. airline.

Continue Reading »