Just Because You Make A Reservation At Holiday Inn, Doesn’t Mean The Hotel Exists

by Gary Leff

Sep 10 2022

In September 2021 a reader made a reservation at the Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport for the nights of August 28th at 27,000 points and August 29th using a credit card free night. The reader shared, “we were so excited to be at the US Open this year, we booked almost a year out at a hotel I’ve stayed at and liked.”

This hotel apparently closed – yet they went into their account to print a copy of their reservation to have it with them on arrival a day before check-in. The bookings were there.

Continue Reading »

Starts Monday: American Airlines Systemwide Upgrades Work On British Airways

by Gary Leff

Sep 09 2022

Starting Monday, September 12th American Airlines systemwide upgrades will work on itineraries that include British Airways transatlantic and intra-European flights within Europe.

That means if you book an American Airlines flight across the Pond, and upgrade it, you’ll also be able to upgrade your connecting flight on BA within Europe. And it means as long as you have a domestic American Airlines flight in your itinerary, you can use a systemwide upgrade to move up a cabin on British Airways across the Atlantic.

Continue Reading »

Bonus Miles For New American AAdvantage Members (Join Now)

by Gary Leff

Sep 09 2022

American Airlines is incenvitizing people to join the program, which is something you used to see a lot more of. They aren’t just giving away free miles (too costly and too easy to game). Instead they’re bonusing customers for joining and tranascting. Because the two things that make you a valuable customers are getting in the habit of transacting and redeeming miles.

Continue Reading »

JetBlue-Emirates End Partnership, Now We Know The Rest Of The Story (Etihad!)

by Gary Leff

Sep 09 2022

Emirates lost the ability to book redemptions on JetBlue in business class over the summer, suggesting something was up with their partnership. We learned in the past several days that the partnership is actually ending October 30th. But JetBlue isn’t going to be down a partner. Instead a new earning and redemption partnership is coming between JetBlue and Etihad. Etihad also partners with American Airlines and with Air Canada.

Continue Reading »

Review: The 1.7 Star Worst Marriott Hotel In North America?

by Gary Leff

Sep 08 2022

An anonymous reader shares an experience at what is likely Marriott’s worst hotel in the Americas, a deflagged Hilton in with 17 year old mattresses, a restaurant that’s still closed, and no daily housekeeping.

I don’t often feature guest posts. I’ve done it just a handful of times in the past 20 years. But I found this report on the Woodlands Plaza Toledo Hotel was interesting as a window into what Marriott has become willing to sell to its customers.

Continue Reading »