Beware The Google Airline Scam, Phone Number Search Results Are Corrupted

older gentleman taking a selfie with smartphone
Jul 17 2023

In the spring I wrote about scammers taking over an old Singapore Airlines phone number and pretending to be Singapore Airlines when customers call. The scammers charge high fees for basic services the airline would normally provide for free, like helping with seat assignments.

It turns out there’s another variation on this scam: the agency gets Google’s search results for the airline at a specific airport changed to display their phone number.

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Marriott Will Replace Hyatt As MGM Resorts Partner

Jul 17 2023

MGM’s relationship with Hyatt ends September 30. They were partners for 10 years, and MGM had recently groused about not seeing as much value as they could they could achieve from the partnership.

Now we know what they were working on as a replacement: Marriott Bonvoy members will earn and redeem points at 17 MGM resorts starting in October, and bookings of MGM properties will be available through Marriott channels by end of year.

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Update On Capital One Lounges: Next Lounge Readies For Opening, New Wait List Management System

Jul 17 2023

Like American Express, Capital One is building out its own network of lounges. Chase has their lounges in partnership with Collinson Group, which owns The Club and Priority Pass. So far, though, there’s only one Capital One lounge – at Dallas – Fort Worth airport. That opened about a year and a half ago.

Fortunately we’re getting a better sense of what’s happening with future projects.

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French Hotel Offers “Free Farts” As An Amenity

Jul 16 2023

Better hotels offer all sorts of amenities, and have been known to go above and beyond for guests. W Hotels have the ‘Whatever Whenever’ line, claiming they’ll get anything you need at any time (for a cost). But I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hotel promote ‘farts’ as an amenity let alone offer them as an optional add-on for free?

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Bet You Didn’t Know: Triple (Quadruple) Dip On Lyft Rides, Passively Earn Rewards For Airport Spending

Jul 16 2023

ThanksAgain is a rewards program where you register your credit card, and it scans your transactions for eligible activity and offers you points – that can be converted into frequent flyer miles or gift cards.

It began years ago as a general retail rewards program. Many dry cleaners were included. Then nearly a decade ago they pivoted to being largely rewards for airport spend.

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