Dec
29
2015
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.
The Best Airline Beer, and a Trick for British Airways Awards
ACT FAST: Plenty of Etihad First Apartment Award Space Open Abu Dhabi-New York JFK for 3 Passengers
Dec
29
2015
Back in May when Etihad announced that their Airbus A380 would be serving New York JFK – Abu Dhabi, award space was wide open.
For awhile Etihad stopped making award seats available on the New York JFK – Abu Dhabi route. It was still possible to secure awards London – Abu Dhabi and occasionally from Abu Dhabi to Australia. Recently they started releasing seats very close to departure (e.g. within a day of travel).
Now Etihad is releasing award space in advance again in first class on the A380 for Abu Dhabi-New York JFK. And when they do there’s as many as 3 seats available.
American Releases Business and First Class Award Seats to Australia! (Even 4-6 Per Flight)
Dec
29
2015
Last week I wrote that American Lets Planes Go Out Mostly Empty Rather Than Letting Members Book Awards. Despite American’s new Los Angeles – Sydney flights going out mostly empty — 3/4ths empty in business class for instance, hours before flight — the airline wasn’t releasing any saver awards. Either day-of, or at any time over the course of the entire 331 day schedule. The premium cbains were going out full, occupied by nonrev travelers.
All of a sudden, with American’s revenue management folks back in the office, they’ve released some business and first class award space between now and the end of February, generally two seats per cabin per flight when available.
Is TSA Refusing to Let Those With PreCheck Opt Out of Naked Imaging When Selected for Additional Screening?
Dec
29
2015
A week ago I reported that the TSA is taking away your right to opt out of naked imaging screening.
If you alarm inside the ‘advanced imaging’ device you get a thorough pat down. If you opt out, you go directly to that pat down. How requiring the imaging before the pat down is supposed to improve security (when TSA misses most things going through the checkpoint and the scanners are easy to foil by anyone trying anyway) makes no sense at all.
There’s been some speculation that –TSA only plans to deny opt outs to those on watch lists. But either by policy or practice, a reader reports a different experience.
The IHG Rewards Club Cash and Points Trick Just Got Even Cheaper
Dec
29
2015
The “cash and points trick” for buying IHG Rewards Club points at a discount just got a price cut, back to levels we haven’t seen since 2012.
Business Class to Asia for $1358 Roundtrip
Dec
28
2015
Hainan Airlines is launching a new flight between Los Angeles and Changsha, China and is currently pricing it at $1358 roundtrip.
Visit China, use it as a jumping off point for Asia, and credit the miles to Alaska Airlines or Etihad.
50% Off, Buy United at Just 1.88 Cents Apiece
Dec
28
2015
Through Wednesday only United is again offering to sell miles at the lowest price I’ve ever seen from MileagePlus — in fact at 1.88 cents apiece it’s the price that US Airways used to sell miles for prior to the merger with American.
The Only Thing Consistent About Travel Loyalty Programs is Complexity. Here’s Why.
Dec
28
2015
There are no hard and fast rules, only tendencies. And the tendency to devalue – which isn’t universal – is consistent with the trend towards rewarding less across the board, tying rewards to spending (while rewarding even high spend less), and then making tweaks to the less rewarding model as business needs dictate.
Business decisions made in isolation compound over time taking what was once a simple program and making it complex. Multiply that out over tens of millions of members that a given program is trying to serve and tweaks along the way get made which only add to the complexity.
Unpublished Offer: 2500 Hilton Points With Your Next Stay Just for Asking
Dec
28
2015
You don’t get if you don’t ask. So e-mail Hilton and ask if they’ll give you bonus points on your next stay with them!
Malaysia Airlines Plane Flew in the Wrong Direction! and Complete Guide to Selling Unwanted Gift Cards
Dec
28
2015
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.
