During the false alarm of a supposed shooter at New York JFK’s terminal 8, which may have been caused by passengers clapping at Usain Bolt’s Olympic win, how did the TSA do?
Report: Marriott Hoping to Back Out of Starwood Merger
A deal almost never looks as good as it does the day it’s announced. The longer it takes to close, the more naysayers, the more critical analysis, and more tarnished details emerge. There’s more opportunity for buyer’s remorse, and for conditions which suggested a merger was a good idea to change.
The New York Post is reporting that the high cost to pacify Starwood’s customers combing the Starwood Preferred Guest program with Marriott Rewards, combined with the approval delay by Chinese regulators, is causing Marriott to second guess the merger.
AMAZING AIRFARE: Several US Cities to Dubai from $508 Roundtrip
United and Air Canada have a fare between several US cities and Dubai that starts at $508 roundtrip. Travel is via Toronto on Air Canada.
You can fly from Newark, Washington DC (Dulles or National), Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, and possibly other cities as well.
Youngest Baby Every to Earn 1 Million Miles, and Air New Zealand’s #CockpitKaraoke
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.
WOW: $99 Fares to Europe from Several US Cities
Yesterday Wow Air announced that they’re moving Stockholm service to the area’s main Arlanda International Airport (ARN) effective November 18 and they dropped some amazing sale fares to promote the service.
In fact, they have $99 one-ways from Boston, Newark, and Baltimore (BWI) to Stockholm. Wow Air services Los Angeles and San Francisco as well, though fares run a comparably ‘expensive’ ~ $178.
ACT NOW: Great Business Class Award Space to Europe Without Big Fuel Surcharges With American and BA Miles
A lot of American AAdvantage members miss transatlantic award space on oneworld partner Iberia, because Iberia awards don’t appear on American’s website.
Iberia flies between Boston, New York JFK, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and Madrid. And award space booked far in advance is very good in business class right now.
Iberia has a good business class product — fully flat with all aisle access, but with seats staggered for density.
Miles for Mortgages, Moving, and More
When I bought a condo I earned six figures in United miles for being referred to a realtor. Basically they were rebating a bit more than half their commission in the form of United miles.
There are opportunities to earn miles for mortgages as well, and for using a moving company. Big dollars are involved in real estate, so big miles are too.
There are several existing offers, and one that’s new — at least to me.
NO NOTICE CHANGE: American’s New Variable Award Prices for New York – Los Angeles and San Francisco Flights
A little over two years ago American introduced multiple levels of prices for these higher-priced awards. Occasionally these cost 20% fewer miles, most of the time they cost a lot more miles.
The price did not vary by flight (how sold out it was, or how likely to sell out) but by date. So some days were more expensive than others. You could still book the last seat available on an almost sold out flight for the lowest extra miles cost if it fell on a lowest price date.
THIS NO LONGER HOLDS TRUE at least for New York JFK – Los Angeles and New York JFK – San Francisco. WITHOUT NOTICE American changed how they manage awards on these flights on Monday August 15.
HOT: Business Class to Asia for an Amazing $1600 Roundtrip!
Expedia.com is selling Delta fares between Los Angeles-area airports (excluding LAX) and Singapore for $1600 round trip in business class.
And you can book American Airlines to China from $1719 roundtrip.
CONFIRMED: American’s First Boeing 757 International Lie Flat Business Seat Being Installed Now
All of American’s transatlantic business class flying is supposed to be done with fully lie flat seats. That’s part of their joint venture with British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair. And it’s the message they’ve been sending to their customers.
That was supposed to happen a long time ago. But it’s been significantly delayed and still isn’t being projected for Boeing 777s until the end of next year.
American also flies some Boeing 757s across the Atlantic and it was reported nearly two years ago that these would get lie flat seats, too.