I had come across a very cheap first class fare and made a trip down to Florida (I purchased the tickets at $256 all-in, by the time I posted the deal it was $309, still a value). Of course, the fare was on US Airways. Now, I understand their desire to cut costs in all dimensions. Their stock symbol is LCC after all! And their current market valuation is not just lower than other mainline carriers, it is actually substantially lower than niche players like Hawaiian Airlines. True enough, this is an airline with problems. But the low levels of service provided by their flight attendants on this trip can’t really be justified by cost cutting, the airline is paying the flight attendants the same amount whether they service passengers or sit in the galley…
Continental-Alaska Partnership Ends October 24
Continental has long been a partner with Alaska Airlines, along with most Skyteam and oneworld carriers. Their partnership wasn’t as tight as Northwest’s and Delta’s, flights between the partners did not earn elite qualifying miles. Alaska’s model has been to partner with basically everyone who wasn’t partnering with United, the carrier’s primary competition (other than Southwest) up and down the West Coast of the U.S. And since Continental is leaving Skyteam and partnering up with Star Alliance and United, the Continental-Alaska partnership is coming to an end. The last day is October 24, 2009. Of course, within a few days of that Continental flying will be able to be credited to United (or any Star Alliance program) and vice versa.
Minor notes…
Bernie Madoff’s American Express Business Platinum statements are online. He didn’t have a Black Card, but he earned plenty of Membership Rewards points… This Flyertalk thread notes that promo code 552KR is currently good for saving 5% on United ticket purchases. LastMinuteTravel is giving away a vacation to Facebook and Twitter followers to briefly describe how terrible their summer plans are. But you have have a better shot at winning British Airways’ giveaway. Randy Petersen says that so far they only have as many entries as there are prizes.
New Upgrd Podcast
The new Upgrd Podcast is up, and I’m again participating. Listen for the discussion of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, joining the Alaska Board Room as a cheaper alternative to Delta lounge membership, the ins-and-outs of their upgrades, as well as items in the news.
100% Bonus on Purchasing Miles from US Airways
Through August 15, US Airways is offering a 100% bonus on purchased miles. The cost is 2.5 cents per mile plus a $30 processing fee. Purchasing 50,000 miles costs $1280 and yields 100,000 miles — a cost of $0.0128 cents per mile. I do not recommend warehousing US Airways miles, they’re doing all they can at the moment to goose cashflow because they’re the most financially vulnerable major carrier. Assuming things improve for them, I expect future changes to their award chart given how generous they’re being at the moment — 50% bonus on transferred hotel points, double miles on shopping, and now double miles on straight purchases. At the same time, if you’re looking to top off for an international premium class Star Alliance award, now’s a pretty good time to do that. Even…
Starwood Free Concert Tickets With Stays Through August 31
Starwood is offering free general admission concert tickets with each eligible stay completed by August 31st. Registration is required prior to the stay. Within 5 days of the completion of each stay they’ll email you a code, and you can earn up to four codes with the promotion. These can be redeemed for Live Nation shows through October.
End the Dulles Taxi Monopoly!
Greater Greater Washington says it’s time to dismantle the taxi monopoly at Washington-Dulles airport. The monopoly means taxis travel one-way to the airport and can’t pickup passengers on the return. Likewise, the Washington Flyer monopoly carries very few people back to the airport after dropping off arriving passengers. As a result, there are probably 2000 extra cab trips a day, wasting about $20,000 each day in gas. My concerns aren’t environmental, my experiences with Washington Flyer have been bad — insufficient cabs at peak hours, and drivers with whom I’ve felt unsafe. It really shouldn’t be illegal for other cabs to pick up passengers like they do at almost every other airport in the country (and even elseewhere in DC).
Upgrd Podcast
I’m a guest on the new Upgrd Podcast out today discussing Delta’s fine over involuntary denied boarding compensation, listener questions and advice on credit card spend, iDine, and splitting miles across programs, and using United Red Carpet Club membership to access other Star Alliance lounges.
United Award Discount Details Now Up
The United Mileage Plus award sale that I mentioned this morning is now up on the United website and a few more details are available. As previously noted, the sale is for travel August 18 through November 18, is for coach travel only, and must be on United (or United Express) flights, no partner airlines. What’s new is the news that tickets issued under this promo must be issued by July 24. And the discount is a minimum of 20% off, but as much as 29% off: Origin Destination Regular Sale % mileage mileage Off North America North America 25,000 20,000 20% (excluding Hawaii) (excluding Hawaii) Hawaii 40,000 30,000 25% Central America, Caribbean 35,000 25,000 29% South America 55,000 44,000 20% Europe 55,000 44,000 20% Australia 80,000 64,000 20% …
Free Internet On American Airlines
American is offering free wifi through August 23 using promo code AAWiFi76194A1. Of course, they don’t have their whole fleet wired up yet, You should be good flying 767s, and some MD80s have wireless. (Hat tip to Frugal Travel Guy.)
