Air India was invited to join Star Alliance in 2007. Joining an alliance generally takes about 2 years. Air India couldn’t get their service and IT systems in order to meet base level standards of the alliance, and their invitation was suspended in 2011. Alliances have wide-ranging requirements to ensure that the reputation of its members reflects well across the rest of airlines that are a part of the alliance. There are safety rules, minimum service standards, and a huge need for integrating IT systems. And these are extensively audited as a part of the joining process. There’s huge potential gain, but joining an alliance entails a cost to meet these standards — and though readers will no doubt offer counterexamples it requires building a culture that matches first world expectations (insert United Airlines joke…
My Favorite Flight in the World: Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – New York JFK
Cathay Pacific has such an all-around good first class product, that it’s my favorite. They don’t have the best food, but they have good food and good snack options. They don’t have the best service, but they have good service. I used to like their Shanghai Tang pajamas best, their new ones are still very good though not quite as good. Other amenities are good, and wines are as well (Champagne is Krug). Similarly, I don’t like their new caviar presentation (in a tin) as much as the older version that also included Balik salmon. But it’s still quite a good high-end offering. They don’t have the best lounges — or the best ground service — but their Hong Kong lounges are good, and the Wing’s first class side has the best showers in any…
Hyatt Place Chicago River North Offers a Good Place to Stay at a Reasonable Price for the City
I spent a couple of nights last week at the Hyatt Place Chicago River North and am reminded just how much I like Hyatt Place properties, at least when they’re significantly cheaper than full service alternatives. To date I’ve had pretty good experiences at the only three Hyatt Place hotels I’ve stayed at previously, the lovely Hyatt Place Delray Beach the newest airport hotel at LAX Hyatt Place LAX/El Segundo the almost too-friendly Hyatt Place Austin Downtown. I had booked one night as a cash and points award (which earned credit towards elite status) and the second night as a Hyatt Visa annual free night (the hotel is eligible as it is currently a category 4 hotel).
The Future of Room Service?
The Hilton New York made waves when it announced the elimination of room service. I’m not talking about the old-line Northeastern practice of ending a feature in order to lay off workers, only to hire back the same workers at a lower price (because it’s impossible just to renegotiate the union contracts). I’m talking about an ostensibly full service hotel disappearing the concept of room service. They decided to replace it with a “grab ‘n go” offering, which made it possible to lay off 55 staff. Room service is costly to service (high staffing costs, not to mention the trays and hot boxes and dishware that is out for long periods of time and sometimes doesn’t come back). Room service is especially costly in high wage cities and with a unionized workforce. Use of room…
What Hotel Program is the Most Rewarding for Your Nights? The Answer May Shock You.
It’s been a year and a half since I looked at which hotel programs give you the most bang for your buck. Since that analysis some programs have increased the number of points required for room nights (adjusted their award categories), and others have moved hotels around in a significant way (category creep). And hotel price increases haven’t been uniform, so the results of which programs are most rewarding for your in-hotel spend have changed. For this post, I ran some numbers for the base programs. I wanted to see what kind of return per dollar spent you get in the form of free nights from each of the chains using the earning tables for a general member. What hotel program offers a free night after the least amount of spending? What hotel program will…
Amazing AAdvantage Premium Cabin Award Space to Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Returns!
Lots of folks reached out yesterday to let me know that Etihad awards are now bookable again with American AAdvantage miles. For instance I was pointed to this Traveling Better thread and @matthewsar tweeted me: Over the past month American has had technical problems booking Etihad award space and some folks even saw black helicopters about the end of American-Etihad partnership which I contended made no sense (at least that the technical glitch wouldn’t have been indicative of that, although I have no inside information about the two airlines’ happiness with the relationship). Some folks may consider this minor news. I see it as a big deal. Although American’s award routing rules can be restrictive especially through the Middle East (with the exception of some Qatar routings), Etihad offers some of the most generous award…
Update on Buying Stocks with a Credit Card, a HILARIOUS (true) Take on United, and Taxis Creating Demand for Uber
News and notes from around the interweb: Loyal3 lets you buy stocks and pay by credit card but they’ve reduced the maximum purchase amount from $2500 to $50 per stock. And you thought your last landing was rough: One killed when PIA plane was fired on during approach in Peshawar (HT: P.C.) Mike Rowe’s take on a United CR7 If the new all-business class New York-Paris service is too rich for you (even at prices starting at what other airlines charge for coach), you can find even cheaper all business class service on a Boeing 727 from Baku to Amsterdam. Really. Le Club Accorhotels is increasing earning rates for general members and Platinums. Taxis in DC are protesting Uber instead of picking up passengers. So if you’re not able to get a cab, you’re going…
There are 3 Great Alaska Airlines Visa Offers. Which is Best?
The Alaska Airlines Visa has long been a sleeper favorite. It’s from Bank of America, and it’s the best co-brand card they offer. Alaska Airlines miles are fantastic, they partner with members of more than one alliance, offer one-way awards with a stopover, and allow most partner awards to be booked online. I first got the card several years ago, and writing this post reminds me that I need to consider getting it again. There are several offers, including a new one where you make money on top of the mileage bonus for signup. I’ll look at which one is best.
One Week to Buy American Club Passes 42% Off, and Both American and US Clubs to Accept Each Others Passes
American let me know that they are going to start accepting Admirals Club passes at US Airways clubs, and US Airways club passes at American clubs, on July 2. So the club pass that you may have gotten from a US Airways credit card will work at American lounges And the club passes you can buy at for $29 instead of $50 on the US Airways website will be accepted at American lounges Meanwhile if you have one of those American club passes picked up at a lounge after showing your American Express Platinum card those will be good at US Airways lounges as well. Specifically, here’s the announcement: On July 2nd, all One-Day Passes will be valid in our combined network of nearly 60 Admirals Club and US Airways Club lounges worldwide and will…
American 100,000 Mile Signup Bonus May Not Be Gone, Here’s What to Do
Earlier today I wrote that the 100,000 mile signup offer for the Citi American Airlines Executive Card was no longer available after a nearly 5 month run. Dan’s Deals says this application still gives you the 100,000 mile signup bonus after $10,000 spend within 3 months, and a $200 statement credit after your first $200 in spend for this $450 annual fee that comes with American lounge access. That application page does not list the offer, so I cannot provide any assurances. And I have no insight about how long this application page will be function either. “Your mileage may vary” as they say. Here are the other great credit card bonuses expected to end soon. You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive…
