American Express Enters Cost Cutting Mode, Where to From Here?

by Gary Leff

Jan 21 2016

American Express hasn’t even lost Costco charges yet, and it’s reeling. Here’s the inside story on how Amex lost the Costco deal. Delta is their second largest co-brand, but with Marriott buying Starwood they presumably lose the ability to issue Starwood co-brands at some point when the programs are expected to merge.

American Express lost the JetBlue co-brand to Barclays though it’s small and they will actually manage the backend for Barclays through their LoyaltyEdge business. Their network is no longer used for Fidelity card transactions.

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Getting Your 4th Night Free on Hotel Stays Has Become Even Easier

by Gary Leff

Jan 21 2016

Citi Prestige offers 50,000 points after $3000 spend within 3 months. It offers nearly identical spending bonuses — triple points on air and hotel and double points on dining and entertainment.

Citi has changed the concierge company they use for their Prestige card and that’s who helps you take advantage of the 4th hotel night free benefit that the card comes with. As a result the process is really streamlined. They’ve moved to Aspire Lifestyle Concierge from Ten Lifestyle Concierge. Here’s how the process works now:

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United’s New VIP Meet and Greet Service Available for Purchase at Newark and Chicago O’Hare

by Gary Leff

Jan 21 2016

United has soft launched a meet and greet airport assistance program with Global Airport Concierge that so far is available at Newark and Chicago O’Hare.

At departure they’ll meet you curbside. On arrival they’ll meet you on the jetbridge. They’ll monitor your flight and assist with rebookings. You get priority check-in and premium security line access. You’ll get escorted to and from your gate.

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Hyatt Announcing a Change to Their Diamond Suite Upgrades Today

by Gary Leff

Hyatt Gold Passport has my absolute favorite hotel benefit: Diamond members get to confirm a suite at booking 4 times per year (up to 7 nights at a time). Instead of hoping for an upgrade close to arrival or at the check-in counter, you throw down one of your trump cards and your base-level room reservation confirms into a suite, provided that the hotel has base-level suites for sale.

Hyatt’s Jeff Zidell tells me that they’re going to be announcing a change to the way that Diamond Suite Upgrades work later today.

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American’s Big Announcement About Their Future in Los Angeles

by Gary Leff

Jan 20 2016

There’s been a great deal of speculation about the announcement that American Airlines would make today in Los Angeles.

American has been building up Los Angeles, with a real play to the entertainment community to be the preferred carrier there. It’s a highly competitive market. United has retrenched somewhat, but Delta’s made a strong play for the city.

They have a new Sydney flight, and are adding Auckland and Tokyo Haneda. There had been strong speculation they’d announce Hong Kong service. But they didn’t. They didn’t announce plans to consolidate operations currently spread across 4 terminals, either. Instead we got…

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United Now Gives Complimentary Food to Top Elites Sitting in Coach

by Gary Leff

Jan 20 2016

United spokesperson Rahsaan Johnson just shared with me a new policy, in effect starting today: 1K and Global Services members receive both a complimentary beverage and complimentary food item when seated in economy.

The snack and drink benefit, I can say as a top tier elite with American, is something that really improves the coach experience. It takes it from mass transportation (‘cattle car’) and helps to personalize it, because even when you don’t get upgraded there’s still a benefit to your status and individual recognition. Together with a complimentary extra legroom seat, flying coach as a top elite really isn’t bad.

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Sometimes the Miles Just Aren’t Worth It

by Gary Leff

Jan 20 2016

There are those who would argue that awards are earned One Mile at a Time and so 100 miles should seem like a really appealing reward. I’ll certainly earn my 100 miles here and there, from the smallest online purchase to the occasional online surveys (most useful for extending the life of miles, or generating partner activity in all-too-rare partner earning promotions).

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