Since he didn’t pay for a ticket, he earns no miles in United’s revenue-based program despite the 322 mile journey from Charlotte.
Perhaps he just wanted a preview of what United’s Basic Economy is going to be like.
When Delta started testing ‘Basic Economy’ fares in 2012 the idea was to compete with the ultra low cost carriers — they already had to match price, so they wanted to be able to offer a product that was closer to the limited service Spirit provided, in hopes that customers would buy up to more expensive fares for more services like pre-assigned seats.
Basic Economy fares are no longer just about competing with the ultra low cost carriers like Spirit, Allegiant, and Frontier though. At its recent investor day event we learned that Delta’s Basic Economy fares have spread to 38% of its markets — and growing.
The fare is available with minimum 28 day advance purchase for outbound travel by April 6 or again starting October 30. There’s a 7 day minimum stay and $300 change fee.
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A couple of months ago I wrote that the update American is doing to its booking classes in order to accommodate the sale of their new international premium economy product (which needs its own classes) for travel starting January 11 would mean the end of confirmed upgrade space as we know it.
That seems to be what’s happened.
Earlier I wrote about a $289 roundtrip fare to Europe in economy. It turns out that the same airline — SkyTeam member Aeroflot — has amazing business class fares right now as well.
Aeroflot departures from New York, Los Angeles, and Miami are showing business class fares from $710 roundtrip for travel all over Europe.
Via Fly4Free SkyTeam member Aeroflot is selling New York and Los Angeles itineraries from as little as $289 roundtrip to Moscow, Dubai, or Baku (Azerbaijan).
Fares are also available to St. Petersburg or even Chelyabinsk, Vladivostok, and Novosibirsk.
The Southwest Companion Pass is the best deal in travel for many. But with the New Year there’s a change in what points count towards earning one.
With the major airlines devaluing their programs, I’m finding Southwest more attractive. And of course checked bags are free.
A trend in upscale hotels is to embrace the local community, and make this a selling point to guests — to participate in farmers markets, bring in local artists, and become the ‘passport to experience’ a location ‘indigenously’.
The Westin Austin Downtown is a new build hotel in the heart of Austin’s music scene. Instead of celebrating the music, they’re suing over the noise.
A Canadian Boeing 737 pilot for Sunwing Airlines was found passed out in the cockpit yesterday morning. Gate and flight crew reported “he was behaving strangely.” His reported blood alcohol level was .24.
I’m always skeptical of details reported in the media about aviation-related incidents. Here there’s reporting of the route that the flight was supposed to be taking for the day:
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
