News and Notes from Around the Interweb: Virgin American is offering up to a 40% bonus on purchased points through May 7. Last month’s 80% offer piqued my interest but I still wasn’t quite a buyer. 40% only makes sense to top off an account with close to enough points for a high value award. Australian Frequent Flyer has the scoop on two stackable 15% discounts for flights to and from certain markets. Nearly 30% off of paid business class would be a huge discount (on a still expensive ticket!). American is proactively handing out lots of miles to customers who may have been affected by Tuesdays travel disruptions. A non-status colleague traveling on a domestic award ticket was offered 1500 points, reports of Executive Platinums with 7500 point offers, which seems reasonable for their…
Only in New York (Since it’s Illegal to Just Start a Taxi for People)
Since the number of cabs is strictly limited, no new licenses to operate one are granted, if you want to drive you can either become a licensed black car or… I doubt very many of their customers, though, can successfully flag this cab down, or dial them to pre-arrange a ride.
Upgrade Policy Changes and Other Developments at My Favorite New York Hotel, the Andaz 5th Avenue
About six months ago Jonathan, the General Manager of the Andaz 5th Avenue, moved over to Hyatt corporate. His role was filled by the Director of Rooms from the Park Hyatt Washington DC. Most things remained the same, but a few things changed. I haven’t been to New York much the past few months, or if I have it’s been for a specific purpose that’s had me staying at another hotel, it’s been for a flight connection, or it’s been a same-day in and out so no hotel stay needed. A far cry from a time not too long ago where I was here pretty much every week. So I haven’t stayed at the Andaz 5th Avenue in awhile, and I haven’t reported on things here in even longer – at least six months –…
TSA PreCheck Becomes Actually Useful, and Not Merely Awesome
Computer doesn’t have to come out of the case (mine doesn’t normally, since I use a bag the TSA permits through the screener as-is anyway). Liquids don’t have to come out (I rarely take mine out anywway). Shoes stay on (hallelujah!) And most significantly, perhaps, there’s usually no line and even if there was the lack of a security theatre drill, let alone nude-o-scope to opt out of, means things move very quickly. TSA’s PreCheck is like going through airport security before airport security was federalized. It’s a humane process. Not quite as civilized as going through security screening in Lufthansa’s first class terminal, perhaps (the screeners there assist me with my jacket). But it’s still… civilized, almost. But even though PreCheck makes airport security so much faster to go through, I’ve argued that it’s…
Strategies for Responding to Today’s American Airlines System Problems
Scott Mayerowitz wrote a piece for the Associated Press on what to do if you were stranded by American Airlines today. I’m fortunate that I wasn’t flying today and I’m grateful not to be caught up in the mess, so far about 20% of the schedule cancelled — and even though systems are back up no doubt the final total will be much higher due to out of position aircraft and crew who ultimately time out. Certainly my thoughts go out to everyone affected by the delays and other inconveniences that in many ways mimic the effects of a big snowstorm — not what you expect in April. And of course I felt like I had a bit of egg on my face after writing about how important it is that a merged American-US Airways…
Bits ‘n Pieces for April 16, 2013
News and Notes from Around the Interweb: Accor Hotels 50% Off Sale: Accor is running one of its semi-regular (prepaid non-refundable) 50% off sale. Log in to your Leclub Accorhotels account and you should be able to see the private sale page (HT: Loyalty Lobby). These rates are stackable with TopCashBack’s rebates, currently at 10% of the room rate. Accor Platinum status doesn’t get you a ton but many folks have it from frequent free signup offers I’ve posted in the past. Uber’s Extra Charge is Worth it in the Rain: It was raining in New York on a Friday afternoon, just before shift change and the start of rush hour. There were no cabs to be found anywhere. I whipped out my phone and powered up the Uber app. They’ve got a solution to…
Austin Food & Culture — and What it Taught Me About Barbecue and… Thai Food
I was in Austin recently, it’s one of my favorite cities, both for classic Texas and for much more modern culture. One of the things I did over the weekend earlier in the month is picked up tickets for ‘Master Pancake,’ a live Mystery Science Theatre 3000 style performance in a theatre/draft house. So you get something to drink, you can pay extra for comfortable chairs (a very modest upcharge), and watch some cutting-edge comedy. In this case, one of the original MST3K folks joined Austin regulars as they mocked Hunger Games. I may not have the most exciting Saturday nights, but it was a lot of fun. I also returned to some of my favorite barbecue spots, and I learned something about barbecue in the process. I expected consistency — restaurants that have been…
US Airways Sends Me 2 Bottles of Wine, Are They Drinkable?
The American Airlines and US Airways CEOs sat down to pitch their merger earlier in the month to the New York Times, and I was quoted nine times in the ensuing piece. I received a package from US Airways as a followup to those quotes, and I wanted to talk about what was in it and share their side of things. Now, I’ve been quoted in several media outlets recently on the merger. But such is still the power of the Times I suppose that that’s the one which got the attention of US Airways management. I have actually been extremely friendly towards the merger, at least compared to most commentators — which is to say that I’m lukewarm and not openly hostile. I would have preferred to see American Airlines remain a standalone airline.…
“You Mean We Have to Feed Them, Too?” The Hotel Programs That Offer the Most Generous Breakfast Benefits
One hotel loyalty program executive relayed the common refrain she got from hotels in the chain when they first began rolling out a breakfast benefit for their top tier elites — “you mean we have to feed them, too?” And yes – they do — because breakfast is a common benefit of hotel elite programs, at least at the time tier, and it’s something that the better programs need to offer in order to remain competitive. The most coveted hotel elite perk is upgrades, especially to suites. I’ve written in the past that I find Hyatt Gold Passport the most generous with elite upgrades, followed by Starwood Preferred Guest. And I’ve had some of my very best upgrades through the intercontinental Royal Ambassador program (many hotels will provide upgrades to specialty suites) but I knock…
The Sofitel Heathrow and on Choosing a London Heathrow Airport Hotel
Commenter RJ Brown asks about the Sofitel London Heathrow on my post about flying British Airways from London to San Francisco. Just changed my return seats to 5E&5F and reserved the cabana based on your notes…… Also decided to overnight in the Sofitel coming back as it appeared the only hotel that allowed a “walk” from room to terminal…..any experience with that property? I wasn’t going to write up a report on the hotel, but figured that if someone was asking about it, that it might be of interest to others too. Last month I needed a Heathrow overnight. And though I was arriving and departing from Terminal 3, I chose the Sofitel. The Sofitel is attached to Terminal 5 and so most convenient for British Airways arrivals and departures. It’s also the nicest Heathrow…
