Here’s How a Man Stole Millions of American AAdvantage Miles — and How You Can Protect Yourself

by Gary Leff

robber being caught red handed
May 01 2016

An Iranian student in South Florida named Milad Avazdavani has been charged for “hacking into the AAdvantage accounts of high-mileage customers and siphoning off enough points to charge trips and cars worth more than $260,000.”

In each case the AAdvantage accountholder’s email address was changed and transactions were made from a computer at the same IP address. Changing email address is a flag for potential fraudulent activity made soon thereafter when redemptions are being made in the name of someone other than the accountholder. When a single IP address is linked to name changes and third party redemptions across a number of accounts that’s a pretty good giveaway.

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Drunk Passenger Swears at Crew, Jokes About Bomb Onboard. You’ll Easily Guess What Happens Next!

by Gary Leff

easyjet
Apr 30 2016

A week ago 25 rowdy Scottish passengers had to be removed from a Jet2 flight. Some had apparently broiught their own alcohol onboard which is a real no-no.

Flying a European low cost carrier can be an… experience. Fellow passengers aren’t median business travelers like you’ll find on national flag carriers in the morning at the beginning of the week and early evening at the end of the week.

So perhaps it’s no surprise that Wednesday’s easyJet Belfast – Barcelona flight 6671 led to two women being taken away on arrival after they “allegedly swore at crew and joked about having a bomb on board, with one reportedly yelling ‘we are all here for a f***ing party’.”

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Delta Improves Upgrade Priority for Elites, Makes Status More Important Than Fare

by Gary Leff

Apr 29 2016

Starting tomorrow Delta will no longer prioritize full fare over status for upgrades.

This leaves United as the only airline privileging full fare tickets above elite status in ordering the upgrade list. Upgrades will still be hard to get, with Delta attempting to monetize every last first class seat. But it’s a step in the right direction towards recognizing value over the course of a year and not simply a single trip for Delta.

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