During a British Airways flight from London to Austin, I was denied a glass of water in business class while predeparture beverages were being served, being told to drink the bottle of water pre-placed at my seat.
This incident sparked a debate on social media, with responses ranging from accusations of entitlement to discussions about customer service expectations in business class travel.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Virgin Atlantic is offering 33% off awards booked by November 27 for travel through September 30, 2024.
Every year on Thanksgiving I offer a reflection on the good fortune I’ve had in travel, mile and points and to be able to interact with so many wonderful readers over the course of the year. And as difficult as the past couple of years have been for so many (it was a dumpster fire, and we thought nothing could match 2020!) – and as tough as the coming year may be, I’m even more thankful than I’ve ever been – for my family’s health and for the way Covid kept me home more to grow as a dad, and how I’ve been able to keep that up even while traveling again.
And I’m extremely grateful for my readers.
Flight attendants are miracle workers making the best of whatever hand they’re dealt (usually a 2 and 7 off suit). Airlines put them in jams, don’t book their lodging when they’re forced to pick up an expected sequence, and don’t give them time to eat between flights.
But one cabin crew member goes far above ordinary in the galley of his aircraft, actually baking a cake from scratch. Is it somebody’s birthday?
President-elect Javier Milei says to stop the bleeding at the airline – it’s lost $8 billion of the government’s money since it was renationalized in 2008 – just transfer ownership to the unions. The airline’s unions say that without government subsidies, the airline is doomed (“death certificate”) and they want continued handouts.
This mom was traveling with her lap child from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City. He’s not a great flyer. He was crying and nothing would soothe him. And she’s feeling stressed looking around the cabin, knowing that it’s driving everyone crazy.
She thought she could get through the short flight, but it delayed. The child isn’t a good sleeper so, she says, she’s barely slept in nine months.
United, Delta, and American Airlines all have airport lounges for premium customers. Alaska Airlines has them, too. Southwest Airlines doesn’t offer lounges.
These lounges are also a huge perk of premium credit cards, which are a lucrative business for airlines. Southwest is competing with one hand tied behind its back placing cards in consumer wallets without lounges.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
The New York Times embarrasses themselves arguing that rewards credit cards drive inequality. The Times doesn’t understand the issue beyond retail lobbyist talking points.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
