View from the Wing

Review: American Airlines Lounge Phoenix (B Gates)

by Gary Leff on October 22, 2015

Oct 22 2015

I spent a good bit of my work day on Saturday in the American Airlines club on the B concourse of the Phoenix airport.

The lounge is one floor up in the terminal between gates B5 and B7, and is one of three American clubs in Phoenix (the other two are on the A concourse, one of which is currently closed for renovations.

The staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. The only negative I’d offer is that as legacy US Airways employees they are working off of a much more automated version of the airline’s reservation system than some legacy American agents — so they may not be able to work some of the miracles during irregular operations that I’ve experienced in American clubs in the past.

6 or More First Class Award Seats Available on Most Etihad U.S. Departures

by Gary Leff on October 22, 2015

Oct 22 2015

This is credit to One Mile at a Time who points out that Etihad is opening 6 or more first class seats on most of its US departingi flights for next summer.

Etihad offers first class from New York JFK, San Francisco, Washington Dulles, Los Angeles, and Dallas.

Here’s What Makes an Airport Lounge Truly Sad: The Club at PHX

by Gary Leff on October 22, 2015

Oct 22 2015

Independent lounge networks, not affiliated with an airline, can be quite nice. Take the Airspace Lounge in San Diego or any of the Centurion lounges. Most contract lounges around the world though, not so much.

In the world of ‘not so much’ I think Phoenix’s The Club lounge is even ‘less so much’. Here’s why.

Passengers at Baggage Claim Greeted by Porn in the Lisbon Airport

by Gary Leff on October 22, 2015

Oct 22 2015

Passengers in the baggage claim area of the Lisbon airport early Monday morning were being shown something often restricted to pay per view (or the internet).

The television above one of the carousels was running porn.

New Study Declares the Best Hotel Loyalty Program, Did It Get Things Right?

by Gary Leff on October 21, 2015

Oct 21 2015

Scott McCartney covers the new IdeaWorks study of hotel loyalty program value for the Wall Street Journal.

This effort seeks to determine the rebate value that your spend has with the largest hotel loyalty programs, and estimate the value of a hotel point.

They come close to offering reasonable estimates of the value of points from IHG Rewards Club, Hilton HHonors, Starwood, and Marriott (although they slightly overvalue those points).

Concierge Services: You’re Using Them Wrong Plus What Really Happens During a Flight Emergency

by Gary Leff on October 21, 2015

Oct 21 2015

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.

Passenger Strips Naked, Requests Sex From Flight Attendant. Can You Guess What Happened Next?

by Gary Leff on October 21, 2015

Oct 21 2015

A flight was delayed 11 hours after a passenger became unruly, stripped naked, and requested sex from a flight attendant this past Saturday.

Rumor has it the passenger in question lacked elite status in the low cost carrier’s frequent flyer program and was thus requesting benefits he wasn’t entitled to without ancillary fees.

Why the 24 Year Old Who Attacked a Passenger Inflight on Sunday Died Prior to Landing

by Gary Leff on October 21, 2015

Oct 21 2015

On Sunday a 24 year old attacked another passenger, was restrained, got sick and then died on an Aer Lingus flight from Lisbon to Dublin. The flight diverted to Cork, Ireland.

The most common reaction to the story was this was patient zero in the coming zombie apocalypse. We now know a lot more about what happened on that flight.

Man Runs Onto Denver Tarmac Trying to Stop a Flight

by Gary Leff on October 20, 2015

Oct 20 2015

The 58 year old man who tried to stop a United flight in August because he was late trying to get to his 40th high school reunion in Ohio pled guilty to “misdemeanor tampering.”

It turns out there’s video…

How to Get the 100,000 Point No Fee First Year Visa Infinite Signup Bonus

by Gary Leff on October 20, 2015

Oct 20 2015

There’s a 100,000 point signup bonus for the only ‘Visa Infinite’ I know of that’s issued in the United States.

It runs through November 30 but you cannot apply online. Fortunately a blog reader works for City National and is happy to assist with applications. She’s shared more detail on the criteria to get the card as well.

Review: American Airlines Lounge Phoenix (B Gates)

6 or More First Class Award Seats Available on Most Etihad U.S. Departures

Here’s What Makes an Airport Lounge Truly Sad: The Club at PHX

Passengers at Baggage Claim Greeted by Porn in the Lisbon Airport

New Study Declares the Best Hotel Loyalty Program, Did It Get Things Right?

Concierge Services: You’re Using Them Wrong Plus What Really Happens During a Flight Emergency

Passenger Strips Naked, Requests Sex From Flight Attendant. Can You Guess What Happened Next?

Why the 24 Year Old Who Attacked a Passenger Inflight on Sunday Died Prior to Landing

Man Runs Onto Denver Tarmac Trying to Stop a Flight

How to Get the 100,000 Point No Fee First Year Visa Infinite Signup Bonus

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
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