News and notes from around the interweb: Here’s what various airlines did for April Fools Former American Airlines Chairman Bob Crandall doesn’t like privacy rights very much. KLM providing customer service via WhatsApp For the ‘they shouldn’t even bother to send the email’ marketing file. Apparently those surgical masks some passengers wear (especially common in Asia) really do work. How Atlanta is competing with O’Hare to stay the world’s busiest airport. United Continental really did used to offer this:

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American’s flight attendants union put out a statement calling out Nicole Kidman because somehow restricting flights by Middle East airlines, which will make air travel more expensive (including for women trying to fly from the UAE, Pakistan, Bangladesh and elsewhere to the US) but will pad the bottom lines of US airlines is somehow good for women. The 25,000 members of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants greatly admire and appreciate your efforts to advance women’s rights around the world as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. Using your profile and stature for such a noble endeavor is commendable. However, we believe those efforts are at odds with your prominent role in an advertising campaign for Etihad Airways. The United Arab Emirates and their airlines are well-known in our industry for their discriminatory labor practices and…

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United, American, and Hilton all suffered recent data breaches. Indeed, Hilton points have been among the most available for sale on the DarkNet. Hilton accounts used 4-digit PIN numbers. That’s not a lot of unique combinations, and Hilton decided that’s not secure enough. In February Hilton reached out to let me know that they’re moving to passwords.. At the time they offered 1000 points to get you to update your password. But their IT wasn’t ready for their announced changes. On March 12 they said they were ready. Unfortunately it turned out that ‘ready’ meant ‘ready to get hacked’. You were supposed to change your password by March 25 in order to get 1000 points. Well, the whole thing was a bit of a mess so you still can get the 1000 point to change…

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Delta has updated its terms and conditions to add specific blackout dates for using SkyMiles to book awards on two of its partner airlines. What Are Blackout Dates? Let’s be clear about terms: Blackout dates are specific days where you cannot use your miles. Capacity controls are where there are a limited number of seats on any given flight that can be redeemed as an award. The capacity might be set to zero. So even where there are no formal dates with no awards permitted (blackout dates) there may still be dates where there are no awards available (capacity controls). Blackout dates are wholly unnecessary in a world with capacity controls. Delta Has Blackout Dates on Partners Not Included in the Program Terms Some programs like Korean Air’s Skypass have ‘high demand’ dates where awards…

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I didn’t notice my account get its status upgraded, though it appears on Award Wallet (and now that I log in) as though it already has been. I received a direct mail piece from Marriott Rewards giving me Gold elite status: I was already a Marriott Rewards silver elite member, the lowest status I hold with any of the major chains. I’m currently: Hyatt Diamond. This was earned on both stays and nights. Starwood Platinum. This was earned based on 50 nights. Hilton HHonors Diamond. This was given as a targeted offer to American AAdvantage Executive Platinum members IHG Rewards Club Platinum. This is complimentary based on my non-renewing Intercontinental Ambassador status (which was itself complimentary based on my non-renewing Royal Ambassador status). Don’t get me wrong, Marriott Gold means lounge access or breakfast (but…

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American Express is offering a 25% bonus on transfers of Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic through April 30. Before the end of the year American Express was offering a 35% bonus on transfers to Virgin Atlantic. So 25% doesn’t impress. Virgin Atlantic has one of the least valuable mileage currencies — my stretch for 8 good uses of the points shows how deep in the barrel I have to dig. The program adds fuel surcharges to awards. So while Virgin Atlantic itself has a decent business class product across the Pond, many prefer to book their awards through Delta SkyMiles (at a higher mileage cost) to avoid the fuel surcharges. If you’re looking to bulk up on Virgin’s miles, consider their Bank of America-issued credit card. American Express Membership Rewards points are too valuable,…

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