Oct
02
2016
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.
United Delays Basic Economy and Drunk Texting an Airport
Great Opportunity: 20% Bonus Transferring Amex, Citi or Hotel Points to Etihad Guest
Oct
02
2016
This summer I wrote about outstanding first class award availability on Etihad and walked through the routes between the US and Abu Dhabi that had award space for at least 2 passengers.
Etihad is one of the top airlines in the world for passenger experience. They offer a great connecting point in Abu Dhabi for travel to India and the surrounding region. I’ve used them to travel there as well as to the Maldives and also back from Sri Lanka.
Yesterday Could Have Been an Operational Meltdown, But American Airlines Nailed It
Oct
02
2016
For pilots the impossible has occurred. The US Airways-America West merger was never actually completed in large measure because pilots kept suing each other over seniority, and indeed even over which pilots could negotiate with the airline on a contract and what they had to ask for. The American merger, by giving US Airways and legacy America West (‘US Airways West’) pilots a raise and pre-committing everyone to an outcome, finally created the ability for pilots to integrate.
Yesterday represented potentially the biggest operational challenge for the combined airline, not dealing with customer reservations or frequent flyer accounts but moving to a single Flight Operating System.
Doctor Saves Passenger’s Life Midflight Using Only Toothpicks and a Spoon
Oct
02
2016
On September 23 a passenger in his late 30s had an epileptic seizure on Air China flight CA1478 from Kashgar — the westernmost city in China near the border with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan — to Urumqi in Northwest China.
The passenger lost consciousness and was foaming at the mouth.
25% American Express Membership Rewards Transfer Bonus to Alitalia
Oct
02
2016
Alitalia has an awesomely good award chart for many destinations as I’ve covered in the past. Here are some of their business class partner redemption rates:
FARE ALERT: Southeast Asia from $436 Roundtrip
Oct
01
2016
Via Airfare Spot use airfare metasearch site Momondo to find fares between Chicago and Southeast Asia from $436.
Flights are available for November travel, departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
You May Be Surprised By What IHG Rewards Club Expects From You As a Member
Oct
01
2016
In updating its terms and conditions, IHG Rewards Club updated its right to update its terms and conditions.
Specifically, they made clear the right to devalue the program and what they expect you to do to find out if they’ve made changes to their rules (hint: they don’t have to tell you).
Big Discounts on Luxury Hotels, a $500 Booking Credit, and More
Oct
01
2016
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.
US Reaches Agreement for Drunk Air Marshals to Party in Cuba
Oct
01
2016
Drunk air marshals are now going to be on Cuba flights. This was a safety priority.
Hilton Just Revealed Hotels that Will Cost More Points (and Less) Starting October 12
Oct
01
2016
Since Hilton’s award chart changes in 2013, there haven’t been huge additional changes.
Hilton decided to alter the way they made changes to how they re-assign hotels to award categories. Instead of an annual change to tons of hotels (a schedule they really weren’t wedded to in the past anyway) they decided they would make rolling changes throughout the year. And instead of informing all members proactively of these changes, they would just post them on a web page in the name of transparency.
