Review: Etihad Preclearance US Premium Lounge, Abu Dhabi

by Gary Leff

Jul 13 2016

All U.S.-bound flights departing Abu Dhabi require check-in at least 2 hours in advance. I already had my boarding pass, but I still wound up heading over a couple hours before our rescheduled departure.

An hour and 15 minutes before departure I made my way down to the US preclearance facility. You have to go through security screening again, and then clear U.S. immigration. And you’re required to present yourself at the Customs and Immigration facility no less than 60 minutes prior to flight.

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Parents of 13 Year Old Groped on Flight to Portland Suing American Airlines. And They Should Lose.

by Gary Leff

Jul 12 2016

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the man who was charged with “abusive sexual contact” after inappropriate touching of an unaccompanied minor on an American Airlines Dallas – Portland flight. Apparently the flight wasn’t full but he chose the middle seat next to the young girl rather than the empty aisle in his own row. Creepy.

I concluded that there are awful passengers in the sky, because there are awful people in the world. Flying is increasingly democratic. A broad cross section of people travel side-by-side across the country every day, and that includes — and necessarily will include — a small minority of awful people, and a small minority of people who do awful things.

That’s not satisfying, but the truth is incidents are rare on planes just as they’re relatively rare in society (though when they happen they make news).

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10% Rebate on Hyatt Redemptions Through October 31 for Co-Brand Cardmembers

by Gary Leff

sydney opera house
Jul 11 2016

Hyatt Gold Passport announced a promotion for their co-brand credit card holders. Register and receive a 10% rebate on points redeemed through October 31.

In 2015 Hyatt and Chase offered co-brand credit card holders a 20% rebate during a five month period at the beginning of the year. That was the first time they made such an offer. While a 10% rebate is nice, it’s hard not to compare it to last year’s 20%.

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Just How Good Can a 200 Mile Flight Be? You’re About to Find Out

by Gary Leff

Jul 11 2016

The flight attendants handled some difficult passengers with grace and a friendly, helpful manner. Everyone in the cabin who was being difficult was satisfied and reassured they’d be well cared for.

We got a hot meal with choice of entree, a dessert from French bakery Ladurée, multiple passes for drinks and lie flat seats. And the flight came with access to Qatar’s Al Safwa first class lounge.

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