View from the Wing

How to Book Cathay Pacific Award Space that American Tells You is Unavailable

by Gary Leff on July 2, 2015

Jul 02 2015

Cathay Pacific first class award seats especially have gotten much tougher to book in recent months. Cathay still regularly makes unsold seats available in the week and even day prior to travel, but advance award availability can be scarce. Business class awards aren’t as easy as they used to be, but aren’t as restrictive as first class.

…[W]hen you see award seats available online using the customary sources for this data — the Qantas frequent flyer website and the British Airways site — but an American telephone agent says it isn’t available, it’s natural to think that the space is being blocked (either on the American side, or that Cathay is imposing point of sale restrictions to prevent American’s members from booking the space).

Have Airline Elite Status? Get Priority Services Flying Delta and Other Skyteam Carriers

by Gary Leff on July 1, 2015

Jul 01 2015

Last week I showed you a foreign airline in each of the 3 alliances that will match your current elite status. That’s useful because it may get you free lounge access (even on the airline you usually fly), or at least airport priority like check-in and boarding when flying an airline that isn’t your usual carrier.

Skyteam member and Delta partner Alitalia now has an official website detailing their offer to give you complimentary elite status.

Federal Government Launches Investigation of U.S. Airline Collusion

by Gary Leff on July 1, 2015

Jul 01 2015

Scott Mayerowitz and David Koenig broke the story that the Department of Justice is demanding copies of communications between major airlines as part of an investigation into unlawful collusion to limit capacity and increase airfares.

..In the face of the double whammy of recession (which kept people out of the air) and high fuel prices, the airlines developed capacity discipline as a means of survival. It’s conceivable there were unlawful communications or signaling along the way and no doubt the Department of Justice will find that.

20,000 Starwood Points Will Now Transfer to 30,000 American Miles

by Gary Leff on July 1, 2015

Jul 01 2015

While the most obvious thing to do with Starwood points is use them for hotel stays, I think the most valuable thing to do with them is transfer them to airline miles.

Through August 7 there’s a 20% bonus on transfers to American AAdvantage — every 20,000 Starpoints you transfer will get you 30,000 American miles.

Get Your Own Free Travel Assistant, Plus an Amex Rumor and Hyatt Grammar

by Gary Leff on July 1, 2015

Jul 01 2015

A collection of the most interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.

Report: Catering Truck Hits United Aircraft in Berlin, Employee Hospitalized

by Gary Leff on July 1, 2015

Jul 01 2015

United’s Berlin – Newark flight was cancelled on Tuesday after a catering truck hit the aircraft and damaged it’s fuselage. United added a second flight today to accommodate passengers. There was apparently someone injured during the accident.

The TSA’s New Mission: “Passenger Shaming”

by Gary Leff on July 1, 2015

Jul 01 2015

TSA tweets photo of the contents of a passenger’s carry on. There was nothing illegal inside. Social media reacts in a way I wish all people would.

What Happens When You Want to Change Your Name But Already Have Airline Tickets Booked?

by Gary Leff on June 30, 2015

Jun 30 2015

What happens if you’ve booked honeymoon tickets under a maiden name and want to change to a married name? What if you’ve booked international travel including for a lap infant before the child is born — and you give the child a different name than you had planned? These problems are not insurmountable! Here’s how it works.

Upgrading an Award Ticket With Miles from Two Accounts

by Gary Leff on June 30, 2015

Jun 30 2015

Reader Casey asked,

“My friend booked 2 United economy awards for him and myself for 25k each. To upgrade to Business class it is only 15k each. I have 25K and he has 5k. Can we somehow upgrade to Business for both of us using our miles? We can’t figure it out on the website. Thank you!”

Leaving from New York JFK or Have a 3 Hour Layover There? Do This.

by Gary Leff on June 30, 2015

Jun 30 2015

Good Sri Lankan food is always a great option. Spicy Lanka is just 5 miles from New York’s JFK airport.

I was in New York for about 20 hours, flying into LaGuardia and out of JFK. I was on a 5:30pm flight out yesterday. The lunch event I attended in Manhattan yesterday was more useful for talking with folks and I decided not to eat anything, I got out of there around 2:30pm, so I decided to stop here on the way to the airport. Good call.

How to Book Cathay Pacific Award Space that American Tells You is Unavailable

Have Airline Elite Status? Get Priority Services Flying Delta and Other Skyteam Carriers

Federal Government Launches Investigation of U.S. Airline Collusion

20,000 Starwood Points Will Now Transfer to 30,000 American Miles

Get Your Own Free Travel Assistant, Plus an Amex Rumor and Hyatt Grammar

Report: Catering Truck Hits United Aircraft in Berlin, Employee Hospitalized

The TSA’s New Mission: “Passenger Shaming”

What Happens When You Want to Change Your Name But Already Have Airline Tickets Booked?

Upgrading an Award Ticket With Miles from Two Accounts

Leaving from New York JFK or Have a 3 Hour Layover There? Do This.

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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.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]