Yesterday the Department of Transportation published a ‘supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking’ on their existing rulemaking docket regarding transparency of ancillary fees.
DOT proposed to require airlines and ticket agents to disclose either customer-specific or itinerary-specific fees for: First checked bag, Second checked bag, Carry on bag.
American Airlines will be rolling out a new boarding system March 1.
For the most part they’re changing how boarding is called rather than the order in which people are called. Everyone gets a group number. Agents are supposed to call boarding group numbers, rather than describing qualifications like first class, Executive Platinum, oneworld emerald, etc.
Last week I wrote that Hilton eliminated ‘AXON awards’ December 31 without notice. These are discounted awards for four night stays in category 5 through 10 hotels which could be booked over the phone by American Express co-brand cardholders.
I spoke with Hilton HHonors Vice President Aaron Glick this afternoon. He apologized to members, says they made a mistake and that “we want to give advance notice of changes in the program.”
Last night JonNYC shared some details of new American Airlines Basic Economy fares, which follow the path laid down by Delta and doubled down on by United. I wrote about these changes American is planning to make to its cheapest fares.
And then this morning American put out a press release on the changes. But there’s more to it than what was in the press release.
When American Airlines starts selling premium economy as a separate international cabin, mileage and systemwide upgrades will still let you move from economy to business class. And it will be possible to for top elites to get complimentary day of departure upgrades to premium economy as well.
Singapore Airlines flew its first Airbus A350 out of Houston last night. Indeed, it was the first A350 in Houston period.
This is the new plane which will become the workhorse of the Singapore Airlines long haul fleet. They’re replacing a large Boeing 777 on the Houston run, and have also changed the city it connects in enroute to Singapore. Houston – Moscow no longer makes sense with low oil prices, so they’re flying Houston – Manchester – Singapore. And with a smaller aircraft they may be able to make the 5 times a week service work.
Everyone partners with Uber, it’s integrated into the United app and American had a promo. Presumably they’re earning off rides. Three hotel chains — Starwood, Hilton, and IHG — partner with Uber. But only Starwood’s partnership is worthwhile.
IHG and Hilton offer ‘ride reminders’ so that when you’re leaving the hotel you’ll remember that you need transportation to wherever you’re going. However with Starwood’s tie-in you actually earn Starpoints for riding Uber.
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My bottom-line take is that American’s basic economy — fewer benefits and less flexibility at the lowest ticket prices — is going to be very similar to United’s and go farther than what Basic Economy pioneer Delta has done in taking away travel benefits.
That’s not surprising because American Airlines President Scott Kirby became the United President and was involved in United’s basic economy decisions. No doubt the work he did at American influenced those choices.
Via One Mile at a Time, and confirmed to me by American Express, a new Centurion lounge will be coming to Philadelphia later this year.
It will be in Terminal A West (international departures) above the current British Airways lounge. Construction is expected to start at the end of next month and they’re targeting an early August open.
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 »
