I got to experience the strangest physical layout for a check-in experience I think I’ve come across — check in at one terminal, departure from a different terminal.
Virgin Australia uses the Star Alliance business class lounge, which features an outdoor deck and fire pits. A lovely way to start off a late night long haul departure…
I found myself at the Crystal Inn & Suites in Logan, Utah … with about 100 Future Farmers of America … where I discovered the surprisingly lucrative Crystal Rewards program.
The first level of elite status is getting harder to obtain, and less valuable to have. Airlines often value their credit card holders as much as first-tier elites. For folks who fly regularly but not enough for status, just getting the airline’s card (and not putting spending on it) may be the right strategy.
The Concourse Hotel used be the Radisson, is now managed by Hyatt, and is the closest property to LAX airport. It has a super-prompt and convenient shuttle. But man, does it need a refresh in at least the room I was assigned…
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
I first shared Singapore Airlines’ plan to reconfigure Boeing 777s to include a premium economy cabin a year ago. Unfortunately, that reconfiguration means cutting the number of first class seats in half on those 777s. Their A380s getting premium economy go from 12 first class, 60 business, and 399 coach (or 86 business, 311 coach) to 36 premium economy and 333 coach in the low-density business configuration or 36 premium economy and 245 coach in the high-density business configuration. Premium economy is coming at the expense of fewer coach seats. Their 777-300ERs getting premium economy go from 8 first class, 42 business, and 228 coach to 4 first class, 48 business, 28 premium economy, and 184 coach. That’s 10% more business class, half the first class, and 20% fewer economy seats to make room for…
Malaysia Airlines was placed into receivership today. The idea is that they are going to move the ‘good’ assets to a new company, which will continue to operate the airline.
This bankruptcy proceeding and transfer of assets does not – itself – affect operations of the airline. It’s a part of the airline’s restructuring, though, while is eliminating routes and jobs as the carrier tries to shrink to profitability.
Malaysia Airlines was struggling even before MH370 went missing last year….
Qantas first class on US-Australia routes is one of the toughest awards to book in the world. There’s been a trick that makes it easier. I’ll describe the trick, and also the challenge to making that trick work that’s crept up in recent months.
There were some downsides to serving as emcee for the Freddie Awards at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta. Two things that weren’t downsides, though, were getting to have dinner sitting down inside an L-1011, and the fantastic hospitality of Delta’s employees. They deserve my thanks. Plus it’s an example to gratuitously highlight the Delta Red Dress.
Here I begin my next trip report — a SkyMiles redemption for business class on Virgin Australia and Delta, plus stays at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas and the Park Hyatt Sydney. This trip features both my perfect travel day, and the biggest travel mistake I’ve ever made…
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 »
