Dec
05
2015
Wednesday’s Alaska Airlines Seattle – Santa Rosa flight landed on a deer. And passengers didn’t even know.
What if a Plane Landed on a Deer and Nobody Noticed (Except the Deer)?
The Most Bizarre, Draconian Frequent Flyer Policy is Being Eliminated
Dec
05
2015
The single strangest policy of any frequent flyer program is being eliminated.
Some programs have expiring miles (for instance, miles earned today will expire in 3 years if unused). Other programs have expiring accounts (accounts will become inactive if there’s no earning or redemption within 18 or 36 months). In either case, activity in your account can extend the life of your miles or in the extreme only some of your miles will expire on a given date.
One airline has had a policy far more draconian than either of those things.
American Airlines is Now on Snapchat
Dec
05
2015
American Airlines announced on Twitter and on Facebook that they’ve joined Snapchat under the username AmericanAir.
While they’ve long provided customer service via social channels, American spokesperson Barbara DeLollis explains that they’ve “established a channel to learn and connect with our potential audience” rather than providing customer service on snapchat.
Hyatt Says They Aren’t Changing Their Suite Upgrade Benefit
Dec
05
2015
Hyatt Gold Passport has my absolute favorite hotel benefit: Diamond members get to confirm a suite at booking 4 times per year (up to 7 nights at a time). Instead of hoping for an upgrade close to arrival or at the check-in counter, you throw down one of your trump cards and your base-level room reservation confirms into a suite, provided that the hotel has base-level suites for sale.
There was a rumor about Hyatt changing the expiration rules on the upgrades given to Diamonds. The denial they issued elsewhere wasn’t especially convincing. So I got a more definitive statement.
Paris Business Class Deal is Back! $1347 Roundtrip from New York
Dec
04
2015
Back in April British Airways was offering some phenomenal business class fares to Paris.
Fares that are almost as good are back! The new British Airways OpenSkies sale for New York – Paris stacks with the AARP discount and 10% co-brand Visa discount to get the price down to $1347 roundtrip… and even earn a 25,000 bonus mile transatlantic bonus if you travel by January!
The Alaska Airlines Visa Has a $100 Statement Credit If You Know Where to Look
Dec
04
2015
The Alaska Airlines Visa is my favorite Bank of America credit card. And an offer that many thought was dead is still around if you know where to look.
Finally! A Partner Mileage-Earning Bonus (Albeit a Small-ish One, From Delta)
Dec
04
2015
Promotions giving out bonus miles for earning with a frequent flyer program’s partners used to be all the rage. Now, while most programs love the miles purchased by partners (more so than the miles earned by flying in many cases) they no longer bonus the activity as frequently — other than the occasional shopping portal bonus. And Delta in particular used to give out big bonuses but no longer seems to.
So it’s nice to see a partner earning bonus, and from Delta in particular, even if it’s a small one.
How to Play the Game Now That Your Miles are Becoming Worth So Much Less
Dec
04
2015
I explained ten years ago why points programs devalue. They’re private currencies without any binding constraints. The Supreme Court even limited your right to sue this year. Programs can do as they wish with impunity.
There’s tremendous value in frequent flyer programs but you should not save points now for some future day in which you might spend them.
Great Star Alliance Award Availability from the West Coast to India (and Europe)
Dec
03
2015
Air India has started operating San Francisco – Delhi, and it’s almost one of the world’s longest flights.
The flight operates 3 days a week in each direction, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. And award availability is very good for 2 passengers. It’s wide open for two passengers in business class, and even in first class which is surprising because Air India usually only opens award space for 1 passenger in first.
Alaska Airlines Introducing Extra Legroom Coach and More Legroom in First Class
Dec
03
2015
Alaska Airlines announced their version of ‘economy-plus’ seating which is an extra 3-4 inches of legroom in part of coach.
They’re locked in a battle with Delta over their Seattle hub (and doing shockingly well) and this product brings them closer in line with Delta, United, and American… and possibly brings their first class farther ahead.
