Last month I complained about hotels tacking undisclosed fees onto their published rates.Word now follows that both Marriott and Starwood are providing total room pricing to the Worldspan system and plan to do the same with other distribution networks soon.View from the Wing gets results: post hoc ergo proctor hoc!
More Dissecting the United corpus
Following on last month’s Denver Post autopsy of United, the Chicago Tribune has its own series. Part one and part two are available. Parts three and four will be published on Tuesday and Wednesday. Now we just need to wait for the San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco hub), Washington Post (Washington Dulles hub), and Los Angeles Times (LA hub) to have their say.
Celebrate
Today is Bastille Day which commemmorates the storming of the Bastille and the overthrow of the French monarchy. Consider a picnic which includes French wine. Personally, I am going to mark the occasion by reading about wines that I cannot afford on a regular basis — Chateua Y’quem, the world’s finest white wine and the greatest wine I’ve ever tasted; and three of the five “first growths” of Bordeaux: Chateau Margaux Chateau Latour Chataeu Haut-Brion Update: Samizdata dissents with a different take on Bastille Day.
Getting an award ticket to Hawaii
View from the Wing reader Tim writes: I’m writing you from Iraq! I’m an Air Force member serving here, but will be returning (Thank God) to the good old USA soon! I read your web as often – as I can get to computer. You really out do yourself with all the info! I have question for you, I have 122,000. miles with Northwest, and am looking to go to Hawaii on those miles with my girlfriend. I’m trying to go first class, and would like to know which airlines I should take. IS northwest’s first class better then say Delta or Continental? And who has the best flight times over to Hawaii!? I’m just looking for a nice long vacation, and staying in paradise, compared to this place will do my soul a world…
Pay us More to Buy from Us
Orbitz has increased its booking fee from $5 to $6.
Long distance, credit card combo bonus
America West is offering 15,000 miles for signing up for both Spring long distance and an America West credit card. (Link via Gary Steiger.)
Securing upgrades on difficult international routes
A reader asked for some general advice in securing upgrades on international flights. Here are my off the top of the head suggestions. I’d love it if you’d add your own thoughts to the comments section. Be as flexible as possible. Look over a variety of days if you can. Confirmed seats at booking are the goal. Be as creative as possible in routings. Check every possible connection. Know what those connections are because agents won’t necessarily look at them all without your asking about them specifically. Consolidate your flying a bit so that you have top tier status on a carrier. I like having miles on lots of airlines… but having the highest level elite status will help you clear those waitlists. (You can earn miles on lots of airlines by giving your partner…
Win $100,000 and 100 Sheraton Room Nights
Register for Sheraton’s “Let’s Spend the Night Together” sweepstakes.
But who will lobby for the lobbyists?
Actually, the American League of Lobbyists is there to fill that important niche!
Upgrading on Northwest
Reader Les took me up on my offer yesterday to explain specifics about upgrades. He wrote: Thanks for your wonderful site. I really look forward to seeing it every morning. Any specific Northwest suggestions? Hi Les, Thanks for the compliment. Tell me where you fly to and how many miles a year you fly and I’ll make some specific suggestions. In the meantime, I’ll say that Northwest really has an outstanding frequent flyer program. Their first class doesn’t really compare to some of the other airlines, but the loyalty program is really great. The best way to get upgrades on domestic flights with Northwest is to be an elite — fly more than 25,000 miles. Even Northwest Silver (25k/yr) flyers have a really good upgrade percentage — especially out of DC (ed- I surmised the…
