United’s New International Business Class Seat is Coming Next Year

Dec 10 2015

We’ll start to see United’s new business class product in Boeing 777-300ERs that they’ll start to receive at the end of 2016.

United started previewing the seat in early September. A reader shared an invitation to a United event where it was being unveiled privately. They’ve worked hard to keep it under wraps, and United spokesman Rahsaan Johnson refused to confirm details offering only, “It may be… Or may not be.”

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Accor Hotels Buying Fairmont, Presidents Club Members Worry

Dec 09 2015

A year ago IHG acquired Kimpton. Hyatt was in the running for that prize, and almost bought Starwood before Marriott scooped Starwood up.

Fairmont Hotels has been on the auction block as well. IHG was rumored as a possible buyer. Accor, which was also named as a possible suitor for Starwood, has done the deal picking up the parent of Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissotel for $2.9 billion.

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American Airlines is Introducing a Real Premium Economy on International Flights

Dec 09 2015

Two weeks ago I wrote that American was considering introducing a premium economy cabin. This morning American has announced they’ll be the first US airline to offer a premium economy cabin on most of their widebody international fleet.

Overall I’m a big fan of premium economy (in much the way that I’m a fan of JetBlue’s Mint), a premium product that’s within reach of more passengers. However it raises concern for frequent flyers looking to upgrade. The sections will be small (so upgrades to premium economy could be tough) and airlines with premium economy may not offer upgrades from economy to business class. Will the upgrade experience be diminished as a result of this new offering?

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25% Bonus Transferring American Express Points to Hawaiian Airlines Miles

Dec 09 2015

American Express Membership Rewards transfers to Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles receive a 25% bonus through December 21.

Now that you can no longer use American AAdvantage miles to fly between the mainland and Hawaii and indeed flying from the mainland to Hawaii and then beyond on Hawaiian Airlines is charged as two separate awards by American, using the HawaiianMiles program for Hawaii and South Pacific travel can be strategically useful.

Although HawaiianMiles doesn’t qualify as one of the Top 5 Deals to Hawaii with Miles or Money.

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