Just as fuel surcharges are really marketing-speak for price increases (and see also this discussion), coupled with an end-run around corporate contracts and paying commissions (er, “overrides”), they are a price increase on award travel. Delta is saying that miles no longer pay for free travel. Delta now only offers “cash + points” awards for tickets. You can no longer hold awards when booking by phone, plus Delta charges a telephone booking fee. They charge a partner award redemption fee. They charge a close-in ticketing fee. And non-elites flying domestic coach pay for checking baggage. With all of these fixed fees, it makes less and less sense to redeem miles for coach travel. A frequent flyer can spend over $100 redeeming miles for a coach ticket that might cost only $300 – $400. But they’ll…
United’s New “Incomparable” Red Carpet Club
One Mile at a Time has photos of United’s new Red Carpet Club at O’Hare by gate B18. Bottom-line appears to be an improvement, but unsurprisingly something that doesn’t quite live up to the expectations set up by United’s marketing gurus.
Thai Airways Confirms Cancellation of New York-Bangkok Service
A month ago I reported that Thai Airways would discontinue its New York-JFK – Bangkok non-stop flight. That Airways has only just made the announcement. They’ll work to get affected passengers out to Los Angeles for their LA-Bangkok service (5 days a week) or issue refunds. Update: Joe Brancatelli writes in: Just a quick correx on your blog post concerning Thai’s dumping of the JFK-BKK route. In fairness to Thai (no easy task, I admit), the airline DID officially announce it on 13 June. The news was buried in a handout about higher fuel surcharges, but it was there…. As for when they actually decided to dump the route (this time, I mean), they started zeroing out the flights in early May.The real trick will be to see what Thai is gonna do with those…
Travel Photos – Boca Raton Public Library
Boca Raton Public Library: The new Spanish River Public Library has a cafe, more flat panel screens than I’ve ever seen in one place, and what appeared to be Herman Miller office chairs in the childrens computer room. Oh, and it’s on the water. You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. You can also follow me on Twitter for the latest deals. Don’t miss out!
$141 First Class Ticket Karma — Landing in Coach One Way
I’ve written about the wonders of the Alaska Airlines $50 companion ticket that comes with their Bank of America co-branded credit card. The small business version of the card comes with a $99 companion certificate which is paper and requires airport ticketing. You can’t even mail in the certificate like you can US Airways’ Bank of American or Juniper Bank $99 companion tickets. On the other hand, like its $50 cousin, the certificate is pretty much unrestricted and represents the best way to get into first class on Alaska Airlines. And for me that airport ticketing annoyance turned into a boon, as the outsourced agents at Reagan National ticketed both sides of the companion fare at $99 plus tax for first class tickets to Reno (via Seattle). Alas, the day of travel came and the…
Travel Photos – Westin Diplomat Pool and Sunrise
The Westin Diplomat offers the best Platinum elite recognition in all of Starwood. With the exception of the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and perhaps Presidents Weekend and Memorial Weekend, a suite upgrade is almost guaranteed (they have over 80 of them). In addition, the club lounge is just lovely — a 33rd floor affair with both indoor and outdoor seating and an extensive breakfast, evening canapes, and after dinner treats. I’ve written about my stays at the Diplomat several times, for example here, here, and here. Here’s the pool at the Diplomat, during the day and at night: And sunrise off the balcony of my corner suite:
Are Fuel Surcharges on Award Tickets a GOOD Thing??
One Mile at a Time thinks Delta’s new fuel surcharges on frequent flyer awards are actually a good thing. There is something of a point here: if fuel surcharges were inevitable, then Delta’s move really isn’t bad — $$50 internationally is less than the fuel surcharges one normally sees on paid tickets, so it could have been much worse… like $100 each way. Now the fuel surcharges could go up later, but it should take awhile, and other airlines aren’t likely to go full out when Delta has laid down its marker at the $50 price point. I do think this is bad, it’s a terrible precedent, and the fuel surcharges are likely to spread to other carriers and eventually go up. But as lucky points out, it could have been worse.
All the Free Things Businesses Will Give You Because You Were Born
Deals, Travel, and Family Life surveys more than 100 free things you can get on your birthday, many of which require advance signup but plenty of the restaurants on the list allow you to enjoy your free item simply around rather than just on your birthday.
3000 British Midland Miles for New Account Signup
Via Frugal Travel Guy, British Midland keeps changing up their offers for signing up for a new Diamond Club account. The current offer is 3000 miles just for creating a new account. Terms and conditions of the offer are here.
Delta Introduces Fuel Surcharges on Award Tickets Originating from the US and Canada
I don’t have a stable internet connection during my travels at the moment, and I’ll have much more to say on this later I’m sure. I predicted back in January And that’s why I fully expect US airlines to begin passing fuel surcharges on to award customers (and other ‘free’ tickets including those given as denied boarding compensation). Now Delta has announced we will add the following fuel surcharge to Award Tickets originating from the U.S. and Canada, effective August 15, 2008: $25 for Award Travel between the 50 states and Canada $50 for Award Travel between the 50 states/Canada and all international destinations (They already have fuel surcharges ex-Europe.) As my prediction suggests, I imagine others will eventually follow.
