Apr 20 2017

Ever since United launched its new international business class ‘Polaris’ soft product (service) on December 1, the airline has been gaining a reputation for having stepped up its premium class game.

The new product was sufficiently good — and really closed the gap enough with other carriers that I thought it would ultimately no longer be necessary to book away from United (once the seats were sufficiently widespread) — and so out of character for the airline that I also wondered how long would it take before they started cutting back on the service?

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Apr 20 2017

In 2015 Plastc promised chip and pin support, water resistant features, and capacity to hold 20 cards.

Plastc, like Coin, was delayed in production. It’s 2017 and they never shipped. And now they’re calling it quits.

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Apr 20 2017

A few days ago I shared reports from the Bangkok Post and elsewhere that the military administration was pushing out street food vendors.

I suggested that some vendors rent space in front of stores rather than squatting on public streets, and that local jurisdictions were all interpreting the new edicts the same way so some street food would survive — and some of the best places are in actual hole in the wall restaurants — however limits on street vendors raise costs and create barriers to entry, reduce competition, and will limit food quality over time.

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Apr 20 2017

Hilton as their own new brands — Tru by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton — and noting they talk about them as by Hilton which is a great reminder.

Hilton describes both as having “a hotel experience that is vibrant, affordable and young at heart with style and personality unique from our existing portfolio.”

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Apr 20 2017

Here’s a really crazy video that was uploaded yesterday of a woman on a Delta Connection flight who had issues, yet seemed to be having fun with her issues. Other passengers on the ground in San Antonio actually seemed to be enjoying the performance, at least until the whole flight was asked to deplane.

Language is not safe for work, but the woman offers an ongoing narrative where she’s even the one claiming the airline says she’s disruptive while she says the airline denies it. But ‘they ain’t seen crazy yet’ they’re going to see tri-polar, not just bipolar.

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Apr 20 2017

Inside Flyer interviews the man behind the card that US Bank is introducing to the premium market: the Altitude Reserve Card.

Before all the details were out Frequent Miler called it the “Sapphire Reserve killer” though while an attractive value proposition I don’t think that’s quite right.

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Apr 20 2017

Airline Weekly (subscription only) ran charts this week with data from Diio Mi showing the number of scheduled seats departing various airports for the largest U.S. airlines in the second quarter, and the year-over-year growth (or retrenchment) that represents.

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Apr 19 2017

Delta, United, and American have unsuccessfully lobbied for two years to get the government to limit flying by Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar — reducing consumer choice and raising prices. Delta’s CEO actually said his goal was a government rule against lower airfare prices.

And even as Emirates announces a 20% cut in US flights because of passenger drops, they continue to press their case claiming Emirates doesn’t really make decisions based on the performance of its flights. Really?

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Apr 19 2017

In 2009 he was flying 700,000 miles per year. Last year he hit 17 million flown, which would mean 7 million in 5 years or 1.4 million per year — twice his earlier pace. That would be 3835 miles per day which would require flying literally a third of the hours in each year.

He has a titanium frequent flyer card and a plane named after him.

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Apr 19 2017

Two months ago United Airlines started selling highly restrictive ‘basic economy fares’ on a test bases on routes between Minneapolis St. Paul and the airline’s hubs.

These fares don’t allow advance seat assignments, ticket changes, or a full sized carry on bag. Elites don’t get upgrades or economy plus seats on these fares, and customers don’t earn credit towards status either.

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