In offering commentary on the major changes coming to the British Airways program, Lucky concludes, This change is pretty in line with what I expect from airlines in 2015: British Airways is being less rewarding to those on lower fares British Airways is being more rewarding to those on expensive fares “British Airways is being more rewarding to those on expensive fares” is what they want the narrative to be But I don’t think it’s quite accurate: Discount business fares earn less starting April 28 Silver elites earn less Premium cabin redemptions cost more So it’s not at all obvious that expensive fares come out ahead. For many it’ll be a wash (flexible business and first class fares earn more, but then redeeming for the same costs more) and for some (discount business fares, and…
Seven Years AND COUNTING to Install New Runway Lights in New York..
Some folks were surprised when American Express opened a Centurion lounge last summer in the Central Terminal at New York LaGuardia… because that terminal is slated to be replaced in 2021. Back in December I wrote that stacking bureaucratic projects would inevitably delay the project’s completion. I don’t think anyone believes that the new terminal will really open in 2021. Here, I think, is another great example of just how delayed aviation projects get. Funding for new runway lights at the three New York airports was allocated in 2007 and the project has not yet been completed. The idea is that “red signals to warn pilots of another plane nearby.” I don’t often find myself in agreement with Senator Chuck Schumer. But here he has a reasonable point. “The FAA must get this working, ASAP.…
Here’s Why Starwood Changed Their Terms to Distinguish Base and Bonus Points…
I noted several changes to Starwood Preferred Guest terms and conditions yesterday in addition to the change to make Platinum 50 night member Suite Night Awards an option (introducing other choices that a Platinum could pick instead if they prefer). One of those changes was to distinguish between base and bonus points earned by elite members in the SPG Pro program. I couldn’t figure out why the change in terms there, but as Chris Holdren from Starwood explained, it makes perfect sense. A Starpoint is a Starpoint is a Starpoint. When we introduced SPG Pro last year, we simply wanted to clarify the terms and conditions to account for earning calculations based on “base points” in any potential future promotions. If they run bonus promotions for SPG Pro, they want those point bonuses to clearly…
The Huge British Airways Avios Devaluation Coming April 28 That Won’t Affect Savvy Frequent Flyers At All
It’s been more than three years since British Airways upended their program, charging separately for each flight segment and basing award price on distance. The November 2011 no-notice changes meant that the British Airways program was no longer very good for long haul premium cabin travel. But it became useful for short non-stop flights, such as on partners like American and Alaska Airlines (and later, US Airways). This time we get three months’ advance notice of changes. The good news for US-based members of the program who transfer points in from programs like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards for short non-stop domestic flights is that nothing will change, mercifully enough. Although one of the great uses of British Airways points – upgrades when flying BA – will get more expensive. The changes…
1000 Free Hilton HHonors Points for Joining
This EVA Air promotion has an interesting twist. Use the link for the promotion and if you aren’t already a Hilton HHonors member you get 1000 points just for signing up. Plus it’s an excuse to write out the name of the Taipei-based Star Alliance member airline’s mileage program name: Infinity MileageLands! No need to focus on EVA Air, though, or on its Infinity MileageLands program. Just know you can register here for a Hilton HHonors account and get 1000 HHonors points for doing so. (HT: Frequent Flyer Bonuses) You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. You can also follow me on Twitter for the latest deals.…
Starwood Shares More About Their New Platinum Benefit Options
This morning I flagged that Starwood had updated its terms and conditions to reflect new options for Platinums staying 50 nights. There will be new choices that members can pick in lieu of taking Suite Night Awards (the ability to express preference/priority for upgrades 10 nights per year). In other words, the Suite Night Award benefit will become one of several choices instead of automatic. I had reached out to Chris Holdren (Starwood’s Senior Vice President for Starwood Preferred Guest & Digital) yesterday, before the update to the Suite Night Award terms and conditions. He has since shared with me some additional details (line breaks added): On the Platinum 50 night benefit, we are changing this on March 1 to provide a selection of choices for our members who stay with us 50 nights a…
A New Mysterious Credit Card for Wealthy Investors, Cash for Opening a Checking Account, and How to Help Others Improve Their Credit Score
News and notes from around the interweb: $150 bonus for opening a SunTrust checking account in-branch. Merrill Lynch has a mysterious new American Express card for wealthy clients Flights from UAE to Baghdad Suspended After FlyDubai Aircraft Hit By Gunfire Apparently this is still a thing, though I wouldn’t do it: selling your credit card authorized user slots to help others’ boost their credit scores. A prepaid debit card that doesn’t seem to work well for just generating spend, but does seem to offer free Chipotle. Earn AAdvantage miles for hotel reviews. Not worth my time at 70 miles per, but some will do this. Marriott buying Canada’s Delta Hotels. Alaska extending free streaming inflight entertainment for two more months, starting to rent Microsoft tablets February 1. You can join the 40,000+ people who see…
More Changes to Starwood’s Terms and Conditions Uncovered
In addition to revealing new choice benefits, making suite nights an ‘option’ at 50 night level, Starwood’s terms and conditions updates contained a few other changes. Rules Now Allow 24 Hour Check-in Requests Online Instead of Just By Phone Platinums who stay 75 nights in a year are eligible for ‘Your24‘ .. a 24 hour check-in clock, based on availability. If you check-in at 11pm, you wouldn’t have to check out until 11pm. (And if you check in after 9am you’re still eligible for 4pm late checkout.) Starwood’s terms now say that this benefit can be requested with your reservation online, no longer having to call Starwood for the request. Distinguishing Between ‘Base’ and ‘Bonus’ Points for Elites Earning in the SPG Pro Program The new SPG Pro program “SPG Pro Travel Professional Booking” will…
Hyatt’s New Lifestyle Brand Revealed
Yesterday I wrote that Hyatt would be launching a new ‘lifestyle brand’. All of the major chains want one, they’re all trying to build one. They’re notoriously difficult – the notion of cool changes, it needs constant updating, and major lodging corporations aren’t always well-suited to capture whatever it is that that is. And when they build these brands, they can wind up adding to brand confusion with too many choices that aren’t clearly differentiated in consumer minds or aren’t well tied to the main brand (can you name all of Marriott’s brands — such that you’d always know when to add your Marriot Rewards account number, or if you’re a Marriott loyalist know to choose each of their brands over a competitor?). I suggested yesterday that I wasn’t sure how an upscale lifestyle brand…
Starwood Introduces New Platinum Benefit Choices for Those That Are Frustrated With Suite Upgrades
Starwood updated its terms and conditions to detail a new offering for Platinum members who stay 50 nights in a year with the program, allowing them to choose Suite Night Awards or something else. What Are Suite Night Awards? For the past 3 years Starwood has offered (10) ‘Suite Night Awards’ — an opportunity to confirm an upgrade up to 5 nights prior to arrival, rather than at check-in. These aren’t confirmed upgrades in the sense that Hyatt offers them to Diamonds. They aren’t confirmed at booking, where you get to guarantee them at the time you make a reservation. These should be thought of as ‘an opportunity to express a preference for when you get upgraded’, ten nights a year where you get to have priority for your upgrades. The problem seems to be…
