Hyatt is acquiring Mr. and Mrs. Smith the booking platform and collection of over 1500 independent hotels. While this is not a brand, and they do not manage or own hotels, in some sense this roughly doubles Hyatt’s footprint with high end properties around the world. The deal is expected to close this quarter.
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.
United Airlines is telling its employees that they are now the world’s largest airline. They’ve sent a message from CEO Scott Kirby trumpeting this claim. But the data tells a different story.
A new lobbying effort has spun up to relax the perimeter rule at Washington National airport. Limits are placed on the distance flights can operate from the airport in order to limit congestion and noise and to protect Dulles airport for longer haul traffic.
The FAA’s Air Traffic Organization is severely understaffed with controllers. New York TRACON is less than 60% staffed with fully-trained controllers. And the government is asking airlines to reduce their summer schedules out of New York airports. Ironically the government won’t let JetBlue and American Airlines fully participate to help solve this challenge.
Bask Bank is known for its Mileage Savings Account which awards American AAdvantage miles rather than interest – the math on this works out especially well in a low-interest rate environment.
They’ve now launched a new Bask Interest Savings Account, which is no longer restricted to Bask Mileage Savings Account holders.
This is a fabulous reminder for me to stay grounded. I’ve flown most of the world’s great international first class products, and I tend to see business class as ‘transportation’. But most people fly coach, and most never see a forward cabin. When they do, it’s like a dream. I think I’ll give away my first class upgrades a couple times in the coming month, for the joy I’ll feel seeing the joy that another passenger gets to experience.
A hidden camera inside a power outlet in the bathroom of an Airbnb is going viral after a group of girls found it on a birthday trip. They were skeptical when one friend was paranoid about cameras in the home they’d rented, but they eventually searched and found that the camera facing the shower – a shower they’d all used.
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.
Starting in July – through end of March 2024 (!) – you’ll frequently find four or more business class award seats per flight on Singapore Airlines between New York JFK and Frankfurt. And these flights aren’t bookable just using Singapore’s miles, they’re available if you want to spend Air Canada Aeroplan points as well – which will save you miles.
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 »
