[OPENS OCTOBER 25] What American’s Newest Lounge Looks Like, And I’m Blown Away

by Gary Leff

Oct 18 2022

Back in August American Airlines teased a new design template for its Admirals Clubs, starting with the new club opening on the E (regional jet) concourse at Washington’s National airport.

We got clues to what American was thinking design-wise when they shared renderings last year of the delayed new Austin club. It’s a total departure from the current design template that’s most generously described as sterile and institutional. It’s gorgeous and feels genuinely high end. In other words it feels too nice for American Airlines and I’m struggling to know what to make of it.

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American Airlines Will Allow Passengers To Check Bags On Longer Connections

by Gary Leff

Oct 18 2022

American Airlines now allows passengers to check bags to their final destination even when their connections are exceptionally long. They used to only allow bag checks all the way through on connections under 12 hours. That’s now been increased to 16.5 hours, and this new rule applies not just to American Airlines travel, but also when checking a bag in with American Airlines and connecting onto one of their airline partners.

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20% Discount On All Southwest Award Flights Booked By Thursday Night

by Gary Leff

Oct 18 2022

Roughly speaking you’ll get 1.5 cents per point against base fare, rather than 1.2 cents per points, under this offer. They’ve offered this deal in the past, most recently in March and it’s a good way to provide a good deal while filling up planes, and at the same time not cannibalizing higher fare paid travel that Southwest would otherwise generate – so wins all around.

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Federal Government Seeks Authority To Impose Airline Mask Mandates, Court Date Set For January 16th

by Gary Leff

Oct 17 2022

The Biden administration declared that they would stop enforcing the mask mandate. They said they’d appeal… if the CDC said it was important to do so. They swung at a pitch in the dirt, because the CDC then said it was necessary to defend a broad scope for their authority. This put the Biden administration in the position of having to pursue a mandate in court that they themselves no longer wanted to enforce. But they were in no rush. Oral arguments have been scheduled for… next year.

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American Airlines Brings Back Elite Status Challenges, Based On Loyalty Points Not Flights

by Gary Leff

british tail plane
Oct 17 2022

American Airlines hasn’t had an ongoing status match or challenge program since launching Loyalty Points as the new way to earn status, where most AAdvantage activity counts and no longer just flights.

However they’ve brought back status challenges, called Instant Status Pass, and these will now be based on how many Loyalty Points you earn (whether from credit card spend, online shopping etc.) and not just how many trips you take.

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