Aug
04
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.
How to Travel With Sex Toys, and How Hotels are Spying on You
Qatar’s New Atlanta Flight is Doing Swell — But it’s Great for Award Availability
Aug
03
2016
The CEO of Qatar Airways said he was launching service from Doha to Atlanta ‘to rub salt in the wounds’ of Delta which sought to shut Qatar, along with Gulf carriers Emirates and Etihad (but not Delta partner Saudia, or Delta partner Alitalia which is controlled by Etihad) out of the US market and raise prices on consumers.
Delta President Glen Hauenstein argues the flight will inevitably fail because “the Atlanta-Doha market has fewer than five people a day.” Yet it’s running with an almost 85% load factor. The flight from Atlanta isn’t as full as the one to Atlanta and offers amazing business class award availability.
Video of Pilot Taking Down an American Airlines Passenger, and Flight Crew Smuggling Drugs
Aug
03
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 Announces New Award Change Fees, Limits on Free Stopovers
Aug
03
2016
United just announced changes that will go into effect on October 6.
They are introducing a new, better online award booking engine; imposing new restrictions on free stopovers on roundtrip awards; eliminating round the world awards; and revamping award change fees (to be mostly higher and more restrictive). But the changes actually could have been a lot worse.
Passengers Charge a Security Barrier at Hong Kong Airport With 500 Flights Disrupted
Aug
03
2016
A typhoon caused significant flight cancellations and delays out of Hong Kong and passengers got so frustrated they tried to storm a security barrier Tuesday morning.
With over 500 flights disrupted, passenger queues became unmanageable.
Emirates Boeing 777 Crash Lands, Catches Fire, All Passengers Reported Safe
Aug
03
2016
Emirates flight EK521 from Thiruvananthapuram, India to Dubai was involved in an accident. The Boeing 777-300, registration number A6-EMW, caught fire on the ground in Dubai.
Thankfully the Dubai government reports that all 275 passengers and crew onboard were evacuated safely though again early reports are subject to change.
17 Tricks and Things to Know About Air France KLM Flying Blue
Aug
02
2016
Air France’s miles are best used for Air France and KLM business class awards when partners like Delta and Alaska aren’t offering space. And the program is strategically useful for its oddball airline partners, promo awards (especially to Israel), and oddball discounted routes that match your travel needs.
In Defense of Drinking in Airports and Register for Paypal Class Action Settlement
Aug
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.
HOT FARE: San Francisco – Vietnam for $386 Roundtrip ($55 Base Fares)
Aug
02
2016
SkyTeam member and Delta partner China Eastern has roundtrips from $386 between San Francisco and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in September and October.
China Eastern has actually filed fares that are $54.50 each way plus taxes and surcharges. That’s pretty incredible.
American Runs Fake Mileage Sales, 2 Cents Apiece is the New Regular Price
Aug
02
2016
A month ago American was offering to sell miles at the lowest price I’ve ever seen from the AAdvantage program. At 1.72 cents apiece it was even less than US Airways Dividend Miles had been selling for during their promotions for the past couple of years of that program.
Clearly with US Airways management in charge of the merged airline, their view of monetizing miles has taken hold — and there are mileage sales at least as often as there aren’t sales now. (And non-sale periods must only be to retain the illusion that there’s a higher price and make it seem like lower prices are limited-time offers.)
