Delta Award Sale: Flights as Low as 5000 Miles

by Gary Leff

Jul 10 2016

Delta is running a domestic economy (and extra legroom seating) award sale. At least they tell us it’s a sale, which means there are regular prices, even though Delta hides what those regular prices are (“an ignorant customer is their best customer”).

At the upper end of value, Chicago Midway – Atlanta is on sale for 5000 miles (and tax of $5.60). That’s better than paying 12,500 miles of course for the same flight. And its actually a good deal. Normally when we see these sales 5000 mile awards correspond to flights less than $90. This time 5000 miles can save you nearly $200.

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Inflight Beer on Tap Launching on KLM Next Month

by Gary Leff

Jul 09 2016

SkyTeam member KLM has been working with Dutch brewery Heineken on a way to offer draft beer inflight.

This is a technical challenge. Most planes are pressurized to 8000 feet, and new aircraft like Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s to 6000 feet.

With less air pressure in the cabin than on the ground, it isn’t just taste buds that change. A beer tap will “only dispense a huge amount of foam” according to Heineken’s Edwin Griffioen.

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A Simple Opportunity That Nearly Every Credit Card is Missing

by Gary Leff

Jul 08 2016

When I wrote about the sharia-compliant credit card in the UAE with a built-in compass so that cardmembers would always know what direction to pray, I said that feature seemed a bit much. And then I realized it helped to solve a practical problem that would give a reason for customers to carry it — and keep it top of wallet.

There aren’t very many practical problems that credit cards can solve beyond payments, rewards, and bundled benefits that aren’t easily duplicated by a smartphone.

Then I was reminded of the 1990 Dana Carvey film, Opportunity Knocks.

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Review: How the W Doha Hotel Called Out My Blog (But Was Still a Great Platinum Experience)

by Gary Leff

Jul 08 2016

The W Doha hotel is a great property, much more in line with the Ws of Asia than the US. It’s gorgeous, with friendly staff, and they treat Platinums well.

Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum members regularly receive upgrades to suites here. The breakfast benefit is the hotel’s full Market restaurant buffet. And the property is one of only 2 W hotels I know of with a club lounge.

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