Nov 28 2015

Traveling a good deal I accumulate status — some useful, some less so. I value my American AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond, and Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum. I much valued my Avis status when I had it.

Not all status is brings meaningful benefits, however. I wouldn’t go out of my way to earn Hyatt Platinum or Hilton Silver, for instance.

There’s one status that’s below them all, that fails to deliver anything of meaningful value, and thus truly stands out in a world of overinflated metals.

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Nov 27 2015

It can be really hard to get seats together for flights during the holidays. Flights are full. More families are traveling together so more people are trying to sit together (compared to solo business travelers). And more and more airlines are holding back the number of seats they assign for ‘free’.

For most passengers, your ticket doesn’t come with a ‘seat’. Obviously that isn’t literally true, since safety rules require all passengers to be seated. But there’s a limited number of seats on the seat map that airlines will let passengers reserve in advance.

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Nov 27 2015

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.

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Nov 27 2015

The romance of miles and points: A true love song. “I have waited, and waited… to one day be upgraded..”

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Nov 27 2015

Alaska Airlines baggage handlers in San Jose, California were taped tossing luggage. Apparently… for half an hour while other employees cheered them on.

They may have been inspired by these Air Canada baggage handlers. But at least they weren’t planting bullets in luggage. And they weren’t stealing from luggage. Like these folks.

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Nov 27 2015

Amsterdam airport will unveil a test of ‘Spencer’ – a robot designed to help passengers navigate the airport. Amsterdam is one of the easier airports to get around, in my view, so I’m not sure the urgency that led KLM to dedicate funds toward its development. However, it’s at least believed “[n]avigating it is so challenging…many of its customers were getting lost and missing flights.”

The one week trial begins Monday, and an official roll out of the technology is planned for March.

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Nov 27 2015

Premium economy is an important product throughout the world, positioning itself between business class and economy. It’s usually offered on long haul flights and depending on the carrier approximates domestic first class in the US perhaps with foot rests. There may be an upgraded meal and beverages as well.

US airlines on the other hand have extra legroom sections with generally the same seat width. But American Airlines CEO Doug Parker hints that they could be the first US carrier to change all that.

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Nov 27 2015

United Airlines – despite dropping service to New York JFK – is trying to compete in the Los Angeles market with a dedicated phone line for Hollywood.

That’s fairly weak sauce for an airport and market that has gone from Worst to First, with the best airline lounges, premium services, and best inflight airport products in the nation.

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Nov 27 2015

Marriott is buying Starwood and Starwood Preferred Guest members are nervous.

Blog reader Vineet S discovered a famous fan of the program ready to take action. Vineet took advantage of a Starwood Preferred Guest private event to meet Lewis Hamilton, the 2014 and 2015 Formula One World Champion.

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Nov 27 2015

It’s a good thing that the TSA doesn’t actually contribute to security, and is only theater meant to make people feel safer while giving up their rights.

Because otherwise it would be a problem that this homeless man went through a TSA checkpoint at Salt Lake City’s airport using a boarding pass that a woman left behind at a check-in kiosk.

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