united baggage

Search Results for "united baggage".

Marriott Explains What Systems Still Aren’t Working and When They’ll Be Fixed

by Gary Leff

outside marriott hotel
Aug 27 2018

On a scale of travel company IT integrations, Marriott’s new program launch didn’t go nearly as well as the largest travel program merger — American Airlines-US Airways — nor nearly as badly as the biggest debacle United-Continental.

While Marriott managed to get functionality up quickly to book reservations, even now 9 days later there are several lingering issues.

I spoke with David Flueck, Marriott’s Senior Vice President of Global Loyalty, to get a sense for where things stand — what bugs are still outstanding, and when we can expect those to be resolved.f

Continue Reading »

JetBlue Increase the Price of First Checked Bag to $30, Will Other Airlines Match?

by Gary Leff

baggage claim
Aug 27 2018

Over the last year JetBlue has made several moves to squeeze more revenue from customers. The airline has been eliminating its product advantages over competitors, and diminishing its customer-friendly approach. They still offer more legroom and their inflight internet generally works, but the legroom advantage is less than it used to be and the airline no longer offers a free checked bag to everyone.

Now JetBlue has made a move that its domestic rivals hadn’t yet — increasing the cost of a first checked bag to $30. And what everyone wants to know is, will other airlines match?

Continue Reading »

Here’s How Much Airlines Made Off Their Frequent Flyer Programs So Far This Year

by Gary Leff

graph chart
Aug 13 2018

Frequent flyer programs create tremendous value for airlines. They’re highly profitable, and have been for years. When United filed for bankruptcy it was said to have to continue flying to support the underlying credit card business. The airline’s first call after seeing the judge each time was to Jamie Dimon.

The issuer of the United co-brand credit card provided debtor-in-possession financing to United, and co-led bankruptcy exit financing. As with other airlines, United received hundreds of millions of dollars in loans backed by future mileage sales to provide liquidity during the financial crisis.

Continue Reading »

Earn Money Delivering Lost Luggage for Delta

by Gary Leff

beer with luggage tag on it
Jul 07 2018

Increasingly airlines are using technology to track bags, prevent loss, and even let you monitor your luggage throughout their journey. That doesn’t mean they’ll be handled with care by staff, and it still doesn’t mean the bags will always make it.

One of the most frustrating parts of losing luggage is waiting to have your bags delivered. It’s not fair to have to make a return trip to the airport, you may be nowhere near the airport. But relying on the airline for that ‘last mile’ getting bags reunited with their owners is tough, it’s hard to know when they’ll ever turn up once they’re handed over to a local delivery service.

Continue Reading »

Star Alliance Looking at New Top Elite Level and More Low Value Redemptions

by Gary Leff

lounge
Jun 04 2018

oneworld has three elite tiers. Star Alliance and SkyTeam have two. Star Alliance says they’re considering a third, a new top tier. But they aren’t saying what that would look like but it probably would involve devaluation of Gold.

Star Alliance also wants to introduce ‘dynamic redemption’ in other words revenue-based ‘miles and money’ across the alliance, spending points from one program as cash to buy a seat on another.

Continue Reading »

The Single Most Customer-Unfriendly Policy in Travel – And a Workaround

by Gary Leff

british airways plane
May 20 2018

Booking Qantas first class awards but not being able to find American Airlines space Austin – Dallas to connect to it reminded me that it’s worth reminding you of why this can be a huge headache when you travel (and not just because you have to buy a domestic flight when booking a ticket with miles) — but that there’s also something you can do to get around the hassle.

American Airlines has what I think is the single most consumer-unfriendly policy in travel. They won’t through-check bags on separate tickets.

Continue Reading »