Review: Qantas Business Class, Gold Coast – Sydney

by Gary Leff

Jul 04 2022

I flew Sydney to Gold Coast on Virgin Australia, and then back to Sydney on Qantas. That gave me a taste of two different Australian domestic options on the same route, and they were remarkably similar. (Jetstar and REX also fly between the two cities.)

While there wasn’t any award space on Qantas for my trip up to Gold Coast from Sydney, for our Thursday morning return there was plenty available. In fact the short flight can be booked in business class for just 9000 British Airways Avios one-way per person and $76, which is a nice value against a ~ $525 fare.

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Review: Virgin Australia Business Class, Sydney – Gold Coast

by Gary Leff

Jul 04 2022

Normally I’d be inclined to pick up Qantas tickets in coach for the short 1 hour 20 minute flight, using my American AAdvantage status for priority check-in and boarding, lounge and extra baggage. But those were pricing at around $300 in economy for the one way trip while Virgin Australia was asking $200 for business class.

And I was really curious to see what Virgin Australia was like after having been acquired out of bankruptcy (“administration”) by private equity.

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Review: Hyatt Regency Sydney

by Gary Leff

Jul 04 2022

My overall Hyatt Regency Sydney review is that everyone was friendly, and service was fine. It’s in a good location, with small rooms, but the ability to upgrade to a suite here was a real advantage. Sadly the club lounge was still closed.

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T-Mobile Tracks And Sells Which Of Their Subscribers Are Business Travelers

by Gary Leff

Jul 03 2022

I wouldn’t mind being targeted as a business traveler, the ads might be relevant and advertisers know I’m likely a good customer. (Well, maybe I’m not..) Airlines could target offers to heavy travel app users and a more granular version would let United make offers to heavy users of the American Airlines app, Marriott to make offers to users of the Hilton app, and this could be the future of status match.

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For Airline Pilots, The Struggle Is Real

by Gary Leff

Jul 03 2022

Listen to pilots talk publicly, posturing in contract negotiations, it’s a grueling career that no one should want. Privately, though, many realize that being entrusted with $100 million machines and flying them around for a living is a pretty great gig. Many also build side businesses in their time off (insurance is a common one).

Picketing by pilots is a bad look, though. Pilots do not realize how they come across. They simply aren’t successful marketing themselves as the exploited worker class.

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Great Business Class Award Availability To Europe, Starting At Just 53,000 Points Roundtrip

by Gary Leff

stock airline bed
Jul 03 2022

There’s one place to look if you want to use American AAdvantage, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, or British Airways Executive Club points to Europe. (If you’re using miles from Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles, you’ll actually pay lower fuel surcharges for those British Airways awards.) That place is Iberia which is very good about releasing two business class award seats from 6 U.S. cities when booking six months or more in advance.

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