News and Notes from Around the Interweb: Some of the best vacations — and best values — can be had in the off-season and shoulder seasons. After the US Airways and American Airlines CEOs sat down with the New York Times to pitch their merger, the resulting piece contained reactions from only tw people — yours truly and also Pizza in Motion. He reports that he has subsequently received package with wine from US Airways along with a note arguing that the airline has been improving its inflight service. I understand there’s a box waiting for me as well, and I’ll report on the contents when I’m back in my office to open it. Two African American passengers are suing US Airways because they were forced to change clothes before being allowed to travel first…
Abu Dhabi – Dusseldorf – London, Etihad First Class and British Airways Club Europe
Apr
13
2013
Trip Report Index: Introducing and Strategy New York JFK – Abu Dhabi, Etihad First Class Park Hyatt Dubai Touring the Burj al Arab Tea at the Burj al Arab Abu Dhabi – Male, Etihad Business Class Male – Kaadedhdhoo, Maldivian and Transfer to the Park Hyatt Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives Kooddoo-Male-Abu Dhabi, Maldivian and Etihad Business Class Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi – Dusseldorf – London, Etihad First Class and British Airways Club Europe London Heathrow – San Francisco, British Airways New First Class When I originally booked the trip we were scheduled to fly Etihad First Class Abu Dhabi – New York JFK – Washington National. But a friend was getting married in San Francisco the day after I was scheduled to make it back to the US and had to find a…
Return to the Maldives: Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Trip Report Index: Introducing and Strategy New York JFK – Abu Dhabi, Etihad First Class Park Hyatt Dubai Touring the Burj al Arab Tea at the Burj al Arab Abu Dhabi – Male, Etihad Business Class Male – Kaadedhdhoo, Maldivian and Transfer to the Park Hyatt Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives Kooddoo-Male-Abu Dhabi, Maldivian and Etihad Business Class Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi – Dusseldorf – London, Etihad First Class and British Airways Club Europe London Heathrow – San Francisco, British Airways New First Class It was slightly after midnight when I arrived at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi via Etihad car from the airport. The place was virtually deserted but for bellmen at the door at front desk agents ready to assist. Even though I was pretty exhausted I still had a the presence…
A New Flight to Upgrade to Asia On
Via Joe Brancatelli’s (subscription-only) Tactical Traveler, Hainan Airlines, the Chinese carrier, says it will launch nonstop flights between Chicago/O’Hare and Beijing. The airline will fly two-class Airbus A330-200s four days a week starting on September 3 And believe it or not, there are people who should care. Already, Hainan Airlines flies Seattle-Beijing. To many, they’re just an obscure Chinese airline. To savvy flyers, though, they’re probably the cheapest ‘out of pocket cash’ airline to upgrade with between the U.S. and Asia. Their frequent flyer program is the Fortune Wings Club. The only Western carrier they partner with is Air Berlin. But you can transfer Wyndham Rewards points into Fortune Wings Club miles. International upgrades are permitted — without cash co-pay — from M fares and above. I’m currently seeing M fares from $1390++ roundtrip on…
Why Can’t US Airlines Provide Great Service Like the Asian Carriers Do?
Over at Lucky‘s blog yesterday he wrote about the American Airlines 777-300ER flight he and I were both on from New York to London last month. He noted that some of the flight attendants on this flight were less than endearing, and one in particular was downright rude. At the same time, he also mentioned that his return flight (he hasn’t posted that part of the trip yet) featured a fantastic crew. And though we were on different flights coming back across the Pond, my return crew was excellent as well. In fact, here’s what I said about the service on the return: The return flight was a different experience entirely. .. the cabin was mostly empty and the crew was in fantastic spirits. The flight attendant serving my aisle, Vanessa, could easily have been…
Is Club Carlson Considering Making You Redeem Points to Earn Elite Status?
A reader (who prefers that I don’t thank them by name) passes along details of an interesting survey they took for the Club Carlson (Radisson, Country Inns, Park Inn, etc) program. I just want to drop a line about a.. 20 minute survey I just took on behalf of Club Carlson. C[lub] C[arlson] is toying with the idea of doing away with award night/free stays for points, and instead allowing guests who earn points to be treated as an elite, by paying with points (or cash). The ideas presented in the survey were great–until I got to the ..very end of the survey, which asked me if I would prefer the new system of “elite treatment” (my words) or free award stays. Naturally I said I would prefer the free award stays! This is an…
7500 Bonus JetBlue Points for Joining TrueBlue and Flying By June 19
New TrueBlue members who join and credit their first roundtrip JetBlue flight by June 19, 2013 will receive 7500 bonus points. The offer is valid for new members only (not surprisingly), registration is required prior to ticket purchase (“Offer not valid for previously booked flights or changes to a previously-booked flight.”), and TrueBlue number must be entered at the time of purchase. Tickets purchased as awards or with travel certificates don’t count, either. The 7500 points are worth about $90 towards travel, which in some markets means a free one-way ticket. Sadly this new signup bonus seems to have appeared the day after the last day to book tickets and earn quadruple points, so the two offers aren’t stackable. (HT: The Flight Deal)
Hyatt Extends 1000 Point Check-in Amenity Choice Worldwide
It’s been rumored quite a bit recently, with some reports that Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond members were being offered 1000 points as their check-in amenity in Asia and in Europe. But now it’s been officially announced. Dear MilePoint members, As a Diamond member you may have recently experienced something new with our Diamond welcome amenity. What’s new? At Park Hyatt®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt® Hyatt Regency® and Andaz® locations outside the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, Diamond members now have a choice of welcome amenity. Diamond members can choose either a food and beverage amenity (locally inspired amenity at Andaz hotels) or 1,000 Hyatt Gold Passport® bonus points. What remains the same? At Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt and Hyatt Regency locations in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, Diamond members can continue to select a…
Special Ground Assistance at the Airport – for Famous People and Anyone With a Credit Card
Scott Mayerowitz runs an Associated Press story on airport VIP service. Now, with the masses clogging up special security and boarding lanes, true VIPs are saying: Get me away from this chaos. And the airlines are listening. .. airlines are focusing on easing the misery of airports for their highest-paying customers and giving them a truly elite experience. At a growing number of airports, special agents will meet these celebrities, high-powered executives and wealthy vacationers at the curb and will privately escort them from check-in to security to boarding. US carriers don’t rival the sorts of ground services provided by Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal, by Thai in Bangkok, or available for purchase in places like Singapore. Thai VIP services buggy Driving through Singapore Changi in a JetQuay buggy But they do offer it. American offers…
Flying Blue 50% Off Mileage Awards for May/June Travel Posted
Air France KLM’s Flying Blue program has posted details of its 50% off promo awards for travel in May and June which will be bookable starting April 29. You can book discounted awards for travel between specific cities in North America and all of Europe. (Promo awards also include travel between Europe and other regions of the world, but here I focus just on North America where most of my readers are — sorry folks reading in South America and Asia!) The only cities offering discounted business class are: Chicago to and from Europe via Amsterdam on KLM Montreal to and from Europe via Paris on Air France New York JFK to and from Europe via Madrid on Air Europa (twice-weekly service) These can be booked from the starting cities above to any destination in…
