united baggage

Search Results for "united baggage".

Airlines Can’t Ban Carry On Bags on Flights to Europe

by Gary Leff on February 24, 2019

Feb 24 2019

United proudly is the only major airline that has kept the ban on carry on bags for basic economy customers. In fact they’re more punitive than that, even. A basic economy customer who isn’t checking a bag isn’t allowed to check-in online or via app. They have to show up at the airport early in order to stand in line to check in, so an agent can personally verify they don’t have a carry on.

Airlines have rolled out basic economy fares between the US and Europe but the carry on bag restriction didn’t take hold for transatlantic travel. Now it seems like it might not be able to even if airlines tried.

British Airways Sends Passengers to a Brothel After Two Flights Stranded on St. Lucia

by Gary Leff on February 16, 2019

Feb 16 2019

Two British Airways flights were cancelled at the same time on St. Lucia. Crew were sent to hotels. Some passengers were sent to what could technically be called hotels, while others were left overnight at the airport without information or assistance. British Airways apparently even sent several passengers to a brothel for the night.

The passengers sent to the brothel were presumably offered additional premium services for an upcharge. The increasingly ancillary fee-minded British Airways may get new ideas to bring home to London Heathrow, already one of the most commercialized airports in the world.

Do an American AAdvantage Status Challenge Now Before They Raise the Requirements

by Gary Leff on January 6, 2019

Jan 06 2019

For a long time American AAdvantage has offered status ‘challenges’ that do not require you to already have status with another airline and that you pay for. These allow you to earn elite status more quickly with travel over a compressed period of time.

American started requiring minimum spend as part of these challenges, and is expected to increase the spend required — so if you’re interested in a status challenge you may want to request it sooner than later.

7 Controversial Things I Believe

by Gary Leff on December 19, 2018

Dec 19 2018

Three years ago I outlined 11 Controversial Things I Believe. The predictions which have had time to come true or be proven false have actually borne out fairly well. One though I just got flat wrong.

Here are 7 controversial things I currently believe. Tell me that you think I’m wrong.

Have Elite Status With an Airline or Hotel? You Can Have SkyTeam Status, Too.

by Gary Leff on December 17, 2018

Dec 17 2018

Right now SkyTeam member and Delta partner Aerolineas Argentinas is promoting an aggressive new status match offer. They will give you a year of elite status based on the status you have with another airline (that is not a part of the SkyTeam alliance) or a hotel chain. Willingness to match against, say, Hilton Honors is unique, easy, and aggressive.

SkyTeam elite status makes travel easier on Delta.

What Hotel Inspectors Look For and Google Fi Should Expand to iPhone, Android This Week

by Gary Leff on November 28, 2018

Nov 28 2018

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.

American Top Elite Status Changes: Higher Spend Requirement, New Choice Benefit

by Gary Leff on November 5, 2018

Nov 05 2018

When United announced at the end of September that earning 100,000 mile flyer ‘1K’ status would also require $15,000 in spending starting next year it was almost a foregone conclusion that American AAdvantage would do the same thing.

Meanwhile they’re introducing a new choice benefit for Executive Platinums who fly beyond 100,000 miles as well as adjusting mileage and status-earning when flying on their closest partner airlines or on ‘bulk’ or special fares.

How Much You Need to Spend to Earn American Airlines ConciergeKey Status

by Gary Leff on November 4, 2018

Nov 04 2018

ConciergeKey is American’s revenue-based top level, given to very high revenue customers and those who influence significant business for the airline.

It’s the ‘super secret’ level that George Clooney had in Up in the Air. The program began mostly for corporate travel buyers and folks in their old VIP program back in 2007, and gradually expanded to individual high revenue customers.

American Gutting Ability to Earn Elite Qualifying Dollars Credit Through Card Spend

by Gary Leff on October 22, 2018

Oct 22 2018

Two years ago American and Barclays introduced card spend as a way to earn credit towards American’s new ticket spend requirement for elite status. That will change substantially for most customers in 2019, and for some in 2020.

Bob Crandall Says Deregulation Gives Us Cramped Seating. Here’s What Will Give Us a Better Product.

by Gary Leff on October 15, 2018

Oct 15 2018

Airline deregulation was opposed by nearly all US airlines in 1978. It was championed by Senator Ted Kennedy (and his aide now Justice Stephen Breyer) and by consumer advocate Ralph Nader and signed into law by Jimmy Carter.

Bob Crandall was against deregulation then, and he’s against it now in retirement. And he’s blaming it for cramped airline seating. He also calls codesharing a ‘fraud’ to fool people.