Oliver sends me to the just-announced Business Traveller Awards for 2010. Presumably he does this so my head will fall off my head and begin spinning while steam pours out my eyes. Now, these awards — given by a group of self-appointed experts without transparent criteria — are often nonsense. The better awards give reason to quibble, and individuals can differ, but this one is perhaps the most ludicrous not only because it’s selections are inane but because they are not even internally consistent. They can’t even both to massage idiotic results so that they’re consistently idiotic in the same way across categories! Take Emirates, which they say is a better airline than British Airways (true enough). But then British Airways is a better long-haul airline than Emirate. Questionable at best. But for both statements…
Air France to Commit to Inferior Business Class Seating for the Foreseeable Future
Upgrade: Travel Better notes that Air France is upgrading their business class seats. But that they won’t be introducing true lie-flat seats, and that these below industry standard seats will take three years to roll out. Crazy, huh? It amazes me that Air France continues to enjoy a positive reputation amongst the general public, at least here in the US and among the less-traveled. One assumes that this is driven simply by a belief that the French exhibit quality and style. And that they haven’t actually flown Air France recently. Certainly Air France’s ancient angled-flat seats need replacement. On my last Paris trip I flew the carrier’s business class, wanting the non-stop for the short hop across the pond and for what would be a quick trip. Key elements: Seat had pieces coming off, and…
Reciprocal Upgrades Between American, British AIrways, and Iberia Should Be Coming
There’s some great speculation at the Traveling Better forums about expected soon to be introduced upgrade awards using American Airlines miles on British Airways (and likely Iberia), and of course BA and Iberia miles on these carriers as well. Given the anti-trust approval for the carriers’ joint business ventures, the airlines and mileage programs will certainly become more integrated. Now, most Star Alliance programs already allow for reciprocal mileage upgrades. Oneworld hasn’t had that. But this subgroup of oneworld carriers almost certainly will. British Airways offers four classes of service beyond Europe — economy (World Traveller), premium economy (World Traveller Plus), business (ClubWorld), and first class. So one imagines that an American mileage award would be good for upgrading one class of service. In other words, economy to premium economy rather than economy to business.…
Interesting Credit Card — Fidelity American Express 2% Cash Back or 2 Air Canada Aeroplan Miles Per Dollar
TM Travel World reports that the Fidelity Investment Rewards American Express from Bank of America earns 2 points per dollar spent and 5000 points auto deposits into a Fidelity brokerage account as $50. That amounts to 2% cash back. There’s also apparently an option to turn off direct deposit of cash into Fidelity and convert points one-to-one into Air Canada Aeroplan, which means you earn 2 Aeroplan points per dollar spent. It’s a no annual fee card to boot. Interesting deal! Haven’t done full due diligence yet but it’s got my attention. Anyone out there with experience on this one?
Passengers are as Much the Problem as Flight Attendants…
A couple weeks back I speculated on the causes of variation in flight attendant service levels around the world. I argued that there was a mix of union rules, corporate leadership, and cultural factors which explain differences in service levels among airlines both within and across regions. But The Flying Pinto makes me think that it’s the median passenger that drives much of this. You don’t have to be a flight attendant who believes they’re there primarily for your safety to become jaded pretty quickly if every flight was like the one that Sara describes…
5000 Marriott Rewards Points for 30-Minute Online/Phone Timeshare Presentation
Via Frugal Travel Guy, Marriott is offering 5000 points for a timeshare presentation. The pitch takes about 30 minutes, is described as online but one of Rick’s readers says is actually by phone, but at least isn’t in person. And the report suggests it’s pretty soft sell to boot. So if you expect to have 30 minutes to kill and want a few points, you can schedule a pitch.
Do Frequent Flyer Programs Reduce Economic Efficiency?
Tim Harford, whose writings I usually much like, explores whether frequent flyer programs are inefficient for the economy. He’s right to suggest that they create product differentiation among air carriers that might otherwise be commodity products. And as differentiated products, consumers have preferences (driven by value created by the program’s loyalty program)> Certainly in the context of business travel, employees with a preference for air carrier may make a choice that’s different from what’s in the best interest of the employer. That’s sometimes true. Agency problems exist any time someone is spending another person or entity’s money. On the other hand, the personal benefits from frequent flyer programs make business travel much more palatable. Employees with elite status fly relatively hassle-free, aren’t charged checked baggage fees that they’d otherwise expensive, often receive meals in first…
American AAdvantage Discounted Awards to Tahiti
American AAdvantage is offering a 20% discount on awards from Los Angeles to Tahiti with partner Air Tahiti Nui. Book by October 15 for travel through March 31, and the offer applies to both economy and business class. Recent reports on Flyertalk suggest that it’s no longer possible to book first class awards on Air Tahiti Nui using American miles. (It’s never been possible using Delta Skymiles, either, even though Delta is also an Air Tahiti Nui partner.) Specific dates are off-limits for business class, as well: Award travel embargo dates apply to travel in Business Class as follows: Flights from Papeete, Tahiti to Los Angeles: December 18, 2010 – January 7, 2011. Flights from Los Angeles to Papeete, Tahiti: December 18, 2010 – December 29, 2010. (HT: TM Travel World.) In general I find…
75,000 and 100,000 American Airlines Mile Credit Card Signup Offers
Two months ago I wrote about Citibank’s offers for either 75,000 American Airlines miles (after $1500 in purchases within 6 months) or 100,000 American Airlines miles (full bonus after $10,000 in purchases within 12 months) for their co-branded Visa, Visa Business, and American Express. These current offers appear to expire October 31, 2010. So if you’re on the fence, they’re still available, time to jump on them. While we’ve seen the occasional targeted American Express Platinum 100,000 mile signup bonus (with $495 fee..) and last year’s British Airways Visa 100,000 mile bonus, I’d still rank these bonuses as the best credit card offers ever made. Here are the links again… 75,000 miles after $1500 in purchases within 6 months, no fee the first year — 75,000 mile signup bonus: Visa 75,000 mile signup bonus: Visa…
35% Off on W Hotel Beds (and all items at the W Hotels Store) is Back
The W Hotels Store is offering all items at 35% off with promo code WKLX6, their beds come with free shipping. Back in May the price of the mattresses went up about 10%, but the 35% off code will still be worthwhile for many. I have the W Hotel plush top (not pillow top) mattress, along with a feather bed. That best approximates the real W bed, and there are some reports of the pillow top mattress eventually having a memory after awhile, whereas I can always change out the feather bed. I’ve long been happy with my purchase (made early 2007, back when there used to be occasional 40% discounts available). Expiration date on the offer is unknown, if you’re interested you may want to make the purchase now. (HT: Dan’s Deals.)
