From air traffic control to CHIP and PIN credit cards, revenue-based loyalty programs, and Star Wars, here are some surprising claims that I’m willing to stand behind.
The Wall Street Journal covers the hot competition for hotel conversion brands with Marriott’s Delta hotels acquisition poised to compete with Hilton’s Doubletree for hotel owners that don’t want to spend a lot to bring their properties up to what would otherwise be a brand’s standards.
There’s no commonality – other than Hilton HHonors – that makes a hotel a Doubletree, that tells a hotel guest what to expect. That’s why Doubletree gives out the cookies.
Denver’s airport has been a place where luggage, rock stars, and irate passengers go nuts. It’s also a place where conspiracy theories abound — from underground trains to nowhere, dedication to the New World Order, and ground zero for a major plague outbreak. Here’s what’s behind all the drama.
TheDelta SkyMiles home page is featuring an offer for 50,000 Delta miles after $2000 in purchases within the first 3 months of cardmembership.
In addition, there’s a $50 statement credit if you make a purchase from Delta within those three months. There’s a $0 annual fee the first year, then $95.
If the U.S. is going to enforce its non-discrimination rules against Kuwait Airways, which flies to the US, then it seems no US airline is going to be allowed to fly to Kuwait. That’s at least one interpretation of a spat over United’s Washington DC – Kuwait City service.
United – the only US airline flying to Kuwait – has just announced an end to service despite what appears to be their desire to continue service. So it may come at the direction of the Kuwait government in retaliation for the declaration by authorities here that an airline serving the US may not refuse to transport Israeli passport holders.
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.
A woman in labor caused American Airlines flight AA787 from Paris to Charlotte to make a u-turn over the Atlantic and land in Dublin.
Apparently the woman’s contractions were two minutes apart when the aircraft landed so presumably very close to giving birth. Fortunately there was a doctor on board.
Star Allinace member Turkish Airlines has opened up as many as 8 business class award seats or more between the US and Istanbul in 2016. This is available on a wide range of dates.
Turkish serves more countries in the world than any other airline (and fourth most destinations and will provide a free hotel night in Istanbul if flight schedules force an overnight connection in Istanbul. You can generally route US – Istanbul on Turkish and then backtrack to Western Europe. They’re a great option for getting to Israel and to Athens, as well as to Africa and even Asia.
So what new issue “has now been earmarked as a priority concern for action by TSA” under new TSA director Peter Neffenger?
Long security lines mean passengers have less time to shop. Plus if people didn’t bring so much stuff through security and carry it onto planes, there’s be more room in the overhead bins for people to store retail purchases.
Many of the emails I get with questions contain notes of thanks. I usually delete those parts when I post questions and answers on the blog. Since I do post many of my media appearances, folks probably wouldn’t know it but I’m fairly bashful about such things.
But I do like to share what really means a lot to me.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
