View from the Wing

Air Canada Selling Miles For 1.24 Cents Apiece (110% Bonus, Good Deal)

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2023

May 18 2023

I don’t write about a lot of mileage purchase offers, because they usually aren’t a good deal. Even with a bonus of 85% or 100% the points still frequently cost more than they’re worth.

One exception to the rule on why I don’t cover too many airline mileage sales is this one from Air Canada Aeroplan: up to 110% bonus on purchased miles, no tax for U.S. residents, and a favorable exchange rate. That brings the mileage cost down to $0.0124 per point. I value Aeroplan miles at 1.4 cents apiece.

Travel Influencer Reports Taking United Airlines Upgrade, Leaving Her 10 Year Old Alone In Coach

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2023

May 18 2023

A mom who offers travel advice on Instagram stirred up controversy by showing an upgrade she got with her husband – while she said her 10 year old son sat in coach for their 13 hour flight.

New “Star System” Holds American Airlines Gate Agents Responsible For Mechanical Delays, Lack Of Crew

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2023

May 18 2023

American Airlines has a new rating system for gate agents, ranking each one on a five star scale. Based on details from multiple agents, this rating system includes everything related to the flight – including things they have no control over whatsoever. If they touch a flight that delays, that’s on them, even when it’s a maintenance delay.

American’s Flight Attendants Are Talking Up Strike Vote: Will Summer Travel Be Ruined?

by Gary Leff on May 18, 2023

May 18 2023

The Association of Flight Attendants has told its members to prepare for a strike vote. This riles up the members, and makes it sound like the union is militant, when in fact they’re continuing to negotiate with the company and if all continues to proceed apace they won’t end up in a strike.

This is the union playing politics with its own members, not against the company.

Shocking: NYC Mayor Says Half Of City’s Hotel Rooms Now Housing Asylum Seekers

by Gary Leff on May 17, 2023

May 17 2023

Between homeless and refugees an increasing number of low-end properties are being used to house people by the city – and even relatively better hotels are being converted for this purpose. The 50% number may not be right, but the magnitude of the challenge – financial, and opportunity cost – is real.

Delta And United Go To War Over Tokyo Haneda Airport

by Gary Leff on May 17, 2023

May 17 2023

Delta lays out how United’s response is self-serving. And of course it is! Just like Delta’s request is self-serving. The question isn’t the motives of each airline, it’s how should DOT handle it when an airline no longer wants to serve the route that was awarded to them?

Aeroflot Orders Crew To Ignore Maintenance Issues, Just Fly Planes [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on May 17, 2023

May 17 2023

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.

Two L.A. Hyatts Investigated For Adding Service Fees For Restaurant Workers, Pocketing The Money

by Gary Leff on May 17, 2023

May 17 2023

What becomes an even worse practice is charging a 5% add-on service fee for workers and not actually giving the money to those workers which is what the Los Angeles City Attorney suggests seems to be happening at Hyatt’s Thompson and tommie Hollywood hotels.

United Devalues MileagePlus, Increases Points Prices Of Many Awards By Up To 46%

by Gary Leff on May 17, 2023

May 17 2023

United MileagePlus has increased the cost of transatlantic awards on its own flights by one-third, and on partners by 39% – 46%. We’ll see what the effects are on other regions.

Senator Kyrsten Sinema Criticized For Using Campaign Funds To Travel To.. Marathons?

by Gary Leff on May 17, 2023

May 17 2023

Senator Sinema is an American Airlines Executive Platinum member whose staff put out a 37 page memo on meeting her travel expectations. She likes room temperature bottled water available at all times (honestly, so do I). She likes a weekly hour-long massage. She wants to avoid flying Southwest though they’re a huge carrier in her home state. She “does not like to fly” and asks staffers to pick her preferred seats when she does.

Air Canada Selling Miles For 1.24 Cents Apiece (110% Bonus, Good Deal)

Travel Influencer Reports Taking United Airlines Upgrade, Leaving Her 10 Year Old Alone In Coach

New “Star System” Holds American Airlines Gate Agents Responsible For Mechanical Delays, Lack Of Crew

American’s Flight Attendants Are Talking Up Strike Vote: Will Summer Travel Be Ruined?

Shocking: NYC Mayor Says Half Of City’s Hotel Rooms Now Housing Asylum Seekers

Delta And United Go To War Over Tokyo Haneda Airport

Aeroflot Orders Crew To Ignore Maintenance Issues, Just Fly Planes [Roundup]

Two L.A. Hyatts Investigated For Adding Service Fees For Restaurant Workers, Pocketing The Money

United Devalues MileagePlus, Increases Points Prices Of Many Awards By Up To 46%

Senator Kyrsten Sinema Criticized For Using Campaign Funds To Travel To.. Marathons?

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]