Jul
24
2015
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Disruptive Jackass Passengers: Spitting, Stealing Wine, and Tied Up
Don’t Be Fooled: Why Delta’s 5000 Mile Awards Are a Poor Use of Miles
Jul
24
2015
When Delta runs a sale on both paid and award tickets it underscores:
- Just how ‘revenue-based’ they’ve made their mileage program
- And how that means you can expect to get little value from your miles.
Suntrust Devalues the Delta Debit Card This Week, and They’re Giving Me $72.
Jul
24
2015
The Suntrust Delta Debit card was a lucrative mileage-earning tool for a long time. I’ve been writing about it since 2009.
Since it’s been a debit card that earned 1 mile per dollar charged, it’s been useful to many in the past buying money orders and depositing those back into a bank. And it’s been a highly efficient way to earn miles for paying taxes since debit transactions incur a miniscule flat fee while credit cards incur a pretty hefty percentage of the total payment.
Proposed Law to Cap Checked Bag Fees at $4.50: It’s Stupid and Irresponsible. (And It’s Just a Ploy to Raise Airport Taxes.)
Jul
23
2015
Representative John Mica (R-FL) has introduced legislation to cap checked bag fees at $4.50.
He’s grandstanding. Because people don’t like paying checked bag fees. So he proposes to eliminate them. To borrow a line from Milton Friedman, Southwest notwithstanding, “there’s no such thing as a free checked bag.”
Save 5000 Points at Night at My Favorite Resort the Park Hyatt Maldives!
Jul
23
2015
A year and a half ago Hyatt introduced a new top redemption category 7 costing 30,000 points per night. They also increased the price of category 6 hotels from 22,000 to 25,000 points per night.
This year the Park Hyatt Maldives jumped up to category 7. So in two years it went from 22,000 points a night to 30,000 points per night, a 36% increase.
American’s Inaugural Sydney Flight Will Be Bookable This Sunday!
Jul
23
2015
American Airlines returns to Sydney with a flight December 17. The Los Angeles – Sydney service, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, will become bookable this Sunday.
Chase Will Keep Issuing the Southwest Credit Card. As Deals Get More Expensive for Banks, What’s Next?
Jul
23
2015
The Southwest Airlines – Chase relationship was up for renewal. That’s a big deal for cardmembers, and also for folks with Chase Ultimate Rewards points because those points transfer to Southwest.
Back in April Southwest engaged an investment bank to evaluate options. I wrote at the time that I expected Chase to retain the card “because it’s more valuable to them than a new bank [because of their installed cardmember base], and because they have the resources.” And indeed Chase has secured a multi-year extension of the Southwest co-brand.
Great Deal: US-Amsterdam on Sale for Under $600 Roundtrip!
Jul
23
2015
New York and Philadephia – Amsterdam is running as low as $545 roundtrip. Other cities — like Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles — are available for slightly more.
Do Airlines Enjoy Causing Economy Passengers Pain?
Jul
23
2015
“[T]he nation’s airlines will begin installing awkwardly placed bumps in every airplane seatback this week because it reportedly brings great pleasure to them.”
Crossing the Line to Earn Miles, Uber Crushes New York’s Mayor, and Flight Attendants Shaming Passengers
Jul
22
2015
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
