Competition is heating up between the big banks to serve premium customers across travel, dining and experiences, with American Express looking to hire a leader that will help them build a new app ground-up.
Bilt Rewards: Former Amex CEO Becomes Chairman, NFL Commissioner Joins Board
Fifteen months ago Bilt raised $150 million at a $1.5 billion valuation. It became one of the fastest companies to ever become a ‘unicorn’.
Now they’ve raised an additional $200 million at a $3.1 billion valuation.
Aer Lingus Gets Closer To American Airlines With New Lounge Access Agreement
Aer Lingus has terminated its codeshare with United. And in another major move, Aer Lingus customers can now use American Airlines lounges.
Hotel Manager Stole $150,000 – And Covered It Up By Redeeming Reward Points
A hotel manager has been indicted for stealing $150,000, and concealing the theft by fraudulently redeeming guests’ hotel points.
Guest would pay for their stay in cash, she’d go in and redeem an award night against the stay from the guest’s loyalty account, and then refund the cash to her own credit card.
Denver Airport Melts Down, Looks Like A Post-Apocalyptic Prison
Denver airport’s train system has broken down. Only one train can run every ten minutes. Passengers are backing up waiting for trains and inside the terminal and people are missing flights, as the airport runs buses from the A concourse to other concourses.
Luxury in Decline: American Airlines Cuts Corners on First Class Champagne [Roundup]
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.
Fact Check: Unraveling False DEI Allegations in Virgin Atlantic’s Wing Incident
Virgin Atlantic cancelled a Manchester, U.K. to New York JFK flight after a passenger noticed bolt fastener tops missing on a panel of one of the Airbus A330’s wings on January 15th. The story has made the rounds worldwide because it was a passenger who flagged the maintenance issue prior to departure.
There’s an odd attempt to link this incident to… diversity hiring?
A New Way to Upgrade: American Airlines Rolls Out oneworld Upgrades in 2024
Two weeks ago American Airlines detailed changes coming for the AAdvantage program in 2024. One of those changes was ‘upgrades on select partner airlines’.
While American declined to offer any details of the new option for upgrades on partner airlines, I wrote that I expected this to be the long-delayed oneworld alliance upgrade program.
Air France Flight “Lands Twice,” Bounces And Scrapes Its Tail
Air France flight 356 from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Toronto Pearson experienced a tail strike as it attempted to land, aborted the landing and executed a go around. It’s one of the worst tail strikes I’ve seen in some time. Fourteen minutes later it executed its second landing on runway 4L.
United Airlines CEO Takes Aim at Boeing Executives: Will President Biden Force A Change At The Top?
Kirby is apparently seeking management changes at Boeing after losing confidence in the planemaker. Whether Boeing’s CEO stays or goes may rest with the federal government.