View from the Wing

Another Program Plays Monkey See, Monkey Do

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2015

Jun 03 2015

Etihad Guest has been a surprisingly generous program, more so than their competitors in the Middle East region in my opinion.

They’re a Citibank ThankYou rewards transfer partner, and their award availability is good (I’ve always booked my Etihad awards through American AAdvantage, however).

Effective July 8, Etihad is making some major changes to its frequent flyer program — along the lines of rewarding premium fares more than cheap ones (although rewarding everyone less overall) and becoming less generous especially for premium cabin upgrades and redemptions.

Sneak Preview: Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge Miami

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2015

Jun 03 2015

I had an opportunity to see American Express Centurion lounge Miami last night and try the food since I was invited to the pre-opening party there.

The food was outstanding, especially the beef short rib and the fried chicken. There’s a spa, a kids room, and shower room. And gorgeous floor to ceiling windows spanning much of the lounge that overlook airport operations.

For sheer contrast with the rest of the Miami airport, this lounge is an amazing respite and a real win now that it’s opened.

1000 Free Miles, Delta’s New Carry On Valet Service, and the Latest Intel..

by Gary Leff on June 2, 2015

Jun 02 2015

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

Hyatt Diamond Status Challenge is Back, Now Open to Everyone

by Gary Leff on June 2, 2015

Hyatt has been exceptionally generous in being willing to give elite members of other hotel chains temporary top tier status in the Gold Passport program, while offering an expedited way to keep that status. And they even gave these temporary Diamond full confirmed suite upgrades as though they had earned the status for a year. This was exceptionally game-able. Plenty of folks signed up for a credit card that gave them Hilton Gold status and leveraged that into Hyatt Diamond — maybe transferred some points into Hyatt from Chase Ultimate Rewards, booked cash and points award stays, upgraded them to suites at booking and enjoyed free breakfasts during their stays. Suite at the Park Hyatt Chennai Complimentary Diamond Room Service Breakfast at the Park Hyatt Vendome, Paris Complimentary Diamond Room Service Breakfast at the Andaz…

You Can Now Upgrade to a Barclaycard Aviator Silver Card, But Do You Want To?

by Gary Leff on June 2, 2015

The US Airways Dividend Miles program has been folded into American AAdvantage. And now only Citibank has the right to issue new American AAdvantage personal (and small business) co-brand credit cards. Barclaycard used to issue the US Airways card. Existing Barclaycard US Airways MasterCard cardholders became Barclaycard American AAdvantage cardholders. Barclaycard can’t issue new accounts, but they can continue to service existing customers. And they have a suite of (4) personal cards to offer existing customers: Here’s a description of all four. Roughly speaking the two bottom tier cards are legacy offerings geared towards US Airways cardholders whose cards had been issued by Bank of America (a portfolio Barclaycard recently acquired). They’re meant to mirror the offerings those customers already had. Aviator Red is What Most Former US Airways Cardmembers Have, or Will Receive Most…

Is United About to Acquire 2 Airbus A380s?

by Gary Leff on June 2, 2015

Jun 02 2015

Could United really be looking to acquire 2 Airbus A380s originally destined for Japan’s Skymark Airlines? They’d certainly be getting the planes at a super deep discount..

Who Can Explain This Flight? But It’s Wide Open For Business Class Awards to Tahiti

by Gary Leff on June 2, 2015

Jun 02 2015

Air Tahiti Nui appears to be operating a flight from Dallas to Tahiti on one day only, and award seats are wide open in both economy and business class. It’s a very strange flight, and I cannot explain it.

Making Sense of the Virgin Airline Frequent Flyer Programs

by Gary Leff on June 1, 2015

Jun 01 2015

There are different ‘Virgin’ airlines and they each have different Virgin frequent flyer programs. What’s the difference? Which one should you belong to?

Hotel Chain CEOs Pick Their Favorite Hotels From Other Brands

by Gary Leff on June 1, 2015

Via Scott Mayerowitz, we learn that: Hilton’s CEO likes the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Accor’s CEO nominates the Andaz Amsterdam And Wyndham’s CEO says his favorite is the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris These answers were given at the NYU Hospitality Conference where hotel CEOs were also clearly on the side of the Middle East carriers in their dispute against United, Delta, and American. Hotel chains compete globally, including on service, so aren’t likely to be convinced by pleas for protectionism As Wyndham’s CEO noted, he’d rather fly @emirates @qatarairways @EtihadAirways over @AmericanAir @Delta @united The funny thing – at least to me – is that such a preference ought to be very aircraft-specific. Emirates has 10-abreast seating on their 777 (so does American, but not Delta or United). Emirates and Qatar have angled business class…

Hyatt’s Summer Promotion is Out and Everyone’s Earn is Different

by Gary Leff on June 1, 2015

Jun 01 2015

Hyatt Gold Passport is running a variety of targeted points-earning promotions, for stays over a four month period: June 1 through September 30 and called “Sweet Dreams Sweet Rewards” .. What was your offer?

Another Program Plays Monkey See, Monkey Do

Sneak Preview: Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge Miami

1000 Free Miles, Delta’s New Carry On Valet Service, and the Latest Intel..

Hyatt Diamond Status Challenge is Back, Now Open to Everyone

You Can Now Upgrade to a Barclaycard Aviator Silver Card, But Do You Want To?

Is United About to Acquire 2 Airbus A380s?

Who Can Explain This Flight? But It’s Wide Open For Business Class Awards to Tahiti

Making Sense of the Virgin Airline Frequent Flyer Programs

Hotel Chain CEOs Pick Their Favorite Hotels From Other Brands

Hyatt’s Summer Promotion is Out and Everyone’s Earn is Different

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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® Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]