View from the Wing

Marriott Hotel Claims No Elite Breakfast, ‘Corporate Exempted Them From $100 Benefits Guarantee’

by Gary Leff on July 10, 2023

Jul 10 2023

Within North America, Autograph Collection hotels are required to offer an amenity choice of restaurant breakfast (resorts) or a food and beverage credit (hotels). And Marriott has a cash guarantee that hotels will honor this.

The Muir Autograph Collection in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada says no elite breakfast, and that Marriott corporate has exempted them from the elite benefits guarantee. According to Marriott customer service there are no standards, “each hotel has its own policies and offerings.”

Review: Hyatt Regency Austin, Staycation For July 4th Fireworks

by Gary Leff on July 9, 2023

Jul 09 2023

I spent the evening of the 4th of July at the Hyatt Regency Austin for the view of the fireworks over the lake, and it turned out to be a fantastic deal.

Passengers Need To Stop Taking Photos Of Flight Attendants

by Gary Leff on July 9, 2023

Jul 09 2023

I’m a strong proponent of passengers being able to take photographs in public, and that includes in publicly-owned airports. While I’m sympathetic to airlines that may want to limit the practice on their private property, I think it’s bad policy. That freedom should have limits.

When A Program Wants To Reward You Too Much – You Let Them

by Gary Leff on July 9, 2023

Jul 09 2023

Sometimes a question really just gets it. Is the Bilt World Elite Mastercard too good to be true?? How can they make money giving so much to cardmembers?

Hotels Should Stop Shaming Guests That Don’t Donate To Charity During Their Stay

by Gary Leff on July 9, 2023

Jul 09 2023

Marriott partners with UNICEF in the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific in a program where hotels can add donations to guest folios on an opt-out basis. Generally $1 is added per night automatically, but guests can tell the front desk to remove the charge.

Autopilot opt out is the opposite of thoughtful philanthropy, so I was sympathetic to a reader who complained about feeling shamed by hotels that do this.

United Airlines Launched A Flight School, And The Place Seems To Be A Mess [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on July 9, 2023

Jul 09 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.

Class Warfare Glares On My American Airlines Flight

by Gary Leff on July 8, 2023

Jul 08 2023

On Monday my American Eagle flight took a delay for catering after doors close. A crewmember announced to the aircraft that we were delayed “to cater first class.” The glares from coach were palpable.

American Airlines May Now Give Away Your Seat When You Run To Make A Connection

by Gary Leff on July 8, 2023

Jul 08 2023

Last month American Airlines fully rolled out a new tool called AURA, the “AUtomated ReAccommodation” tool to rebook passengers when their flights are cancelled or delayed.

But this tool does so predictively. And it’s causing seats to be given away from passengers that make their flight.

Los Angeles Will Vote On Whether Every Hotel In The City Must House The Homeless

by Gary Leff on July 8, 2023

Jul 08 2023

New York’s mayor says half of the city’s hotel rooms are being used to house asylum seekers. Los Angeles said: hold my beer.

In March, voters in LA will consider an ordinance requiring hotels to report their number of vacant rooms each day, and make those rooms available to the homeless.

Your Flight To Mexico Wasn’t An Allegory For Wealth Inequality

by Gary Leff on July 8, 2023

Jul 08 2023

How much inequality matters, versus absolute living standards which most people think has risen substantially over time, is something people can debate. I just wish they would do this debate less based on their one-off Mexico vacation. And if you are going to insist that it was, maybe spill a few paragraphs of ink considering wealth inequality between the U.S. and Mexico?

Marriott Hotel Claims No Elite Breakfast, ‘Corporate Exempted Them From $100 Benefits Guarantee’

Review: Hyatt Regency Austin, Staycation For July 4th Fireworks

Passengers Need To Stop Taking Photos Of Flight Attendants

When A Program Wants To Reward You Too Much – You Let Them

Hotels Should Stop Shaming Guests That Don’t Donate To Charity During Their Stay

United Airlines Launched A Flight School, And The Place Seems To Be A Mess [Roundup]

Class Warfare Glares On My American Airlines Flight

American Airlines May Now Give Away Your Seat When You Run To Make A Connection

Los Angeles Will Vote On Whether Every Hotel In The City Must House The Homeless

Your Flight To Mexico Wasn’t An Allegory For Wealth Inequality

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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]