Time to Start Gnashing Teeth: Marriott is Buying Starwood

by Gary Leff

Nov 16 2015

Three Chinese firms were supposedly seeking government permission to make a bid to buy Starwood Hotels. Hyatt was rumored to be the lead bidder. There had earlier been speculation about a Starwood-IHG (or Wyndham) merger. Wyndham hired away enough Starwood talent that it’s recently been referred to as Wynwood.

Starwood’s CEO, whom I interviewed on stage earlier this year, made clear he expected to sell by the end of the year. And it looks like he made good on that promise.

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Buy as Many as 200,000 American Miles for 2 Cents Apiece Through November 30

by Gary Leff

Nov 15 2015

Through November 30 American is selling miles for as little as 2 cent apiece. That’s cheaper than they usually sell miles.

On average I value American miles at 1.7 cents.

They’re worth more if they put you over the top for a specific award. And they’re worth more if you redeem them for something you’d be willing to pay full or close to full price for otherwise.

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Hands Up, Don’t Shoot! American Airlines Passengers After TSA Fails to Screen Dentist’s Carry On

by Gary Leff

Nov 15 2015

Earlier this week concourses at Miami’s airport were shut down, and 50 flights were delayed, because the TSA wanted a better look inside a dentist’s carry on.

They tracked down the passenger to an American Airlines flight to Barbados that had boarded — and armed police in riot gear were sent onto the aircraft. Passengers were ordered to place hands on their heads.

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Delta Imposes New Restrictions on Elites Booking Extra Legroom Seats (Really…)

by Gary Leff

Nov 14 2015

Instead of a Diamond or Platinum members being able to confirm 8 non-elite companions into extra legroom seats at time of booking, they’ll be able to get into extra legroom seats with just 1 companion only 24 hours prior to departure when traveling on the same reservation.

They say that’s because because “[a]s Delta continues to make investments in our most loyal customers, we want to continue to ensure availability of our premium products for these customers.”

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Why I’m Still Going to Paris

by Gary Leff

Nov 14 2015

I lived just outside of Washington DC on 9/11. My commute took me past the Pentagon each day, one of the sites attacked that day. I was acutely aware that I was, by extension, a primary target. Yet nothing ever happened to me in the ensuing 13 years that I continued to live there.

I will return to Paris in a matter of weeks. I’m not changing my plans. Here’s why.

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