I write frequently about the current dispute between the largest US airlines (American, Delta, and United) and the largest Middle Eastern ones (Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad). And I come down squarely against the US airlines, whom I believe are looking to use the government to reduce consumer choices and raise prices for their own benefit.
But that doesn’t mean I’m a defender of the Middle Eastern carriers as such.
Delta knows where its strengths are. They’re starting to include an agreement as part of their corporate sales arsenal that provides for financial penalties if their operational performance falters. The specifics of the agreement won’t see them offering payouts to companies any time soon, but it brings into stark relief what the airline does well. And it’s the most important thing — which is why your boss may be making you fly Delta soon.
Japan Airlines has a really fantastic first class product, it’s one of the best with a fantastic mattress pad and excellent (very Japanese) service. I’d suggest they’re in the top seven (in no particular order: Singapore, Emirates, Etihad, Cathay Pacific, ANA, Asiana, JAL).
They’re switching the Tokyo – Sydney route to a Boeing 777-300ER and that means the route will get first class. Award space is widely available on the route, much better flying Sydney – Tokyo than it is flying Tokyo – Sydney.
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Here’s finally a good, super quick and easy way to earn miles paying your rent or mortgage and anything else that you’re currently paying by check or online billpay.
I recently found myself flying an airline where I had no elite status. I didn’t have their app on my phone, so I tried to use the kiosk. It wasn’t working, so I had to pick a line. Fortunately it was a small airport, not that many passengers, have you seen economy check-in lines?
In addition to their ranking of best airline frequent flyer programs, US News has taken a stab at coming up with a ranking for the best hotel loyalty programs.
They even almost built a reasonable approach: How much do you have to spend to get a free room? What else can you do with your points and how well do they treat frequent guests? Is the program offering you rooms everywhere you want to be, and at your desired price point?
US News is out with its new 2015 ranking of the best frequent flyer programs.
And though their top two picks are plausible you really should ignore this ranking, and I hope no one cites it.
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
With US Airways flights scheduled to be entirely on the American Airlines platform come October 17, and IT resources focused primarly on the merger integration, American AAdvantage is simply running out of time to make big changes for 2016.
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 »
