Jun
12
2022
When American Airlines dropped most change fees in fall 2020 they also introduced free standby.
Is American Airlines Eliminating Free Standby?
How An Airport Spa Led U.S. Covid Variant Surveillance [Roundup]
Jun
11
2022
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.
Ethical Conflicts Writing This Blog
Jun
11
2022
Frequent Miler writes that he accepted complimentary Diamond status from IHG and Spirit Airlines Gold status. Those companies wanted to influence his coverage, but the perks helped him cover those experiences. He was offered free IHG One Rewards points and Milestone Rewards so he could better cover the new program as well.
I figured this was a good opportunity to re-iterate my own position.
Style Matters: Selling Airline Tickets Isn’t Just About Schedule And Price
Jun
11
2022
There are customers that are pure price buyers. That’s the market Spirit Airlines and Frontier cater to. There are also coach passengers who will pay more for a better experience. And premium cabin customers are going to be paying substantially more to get a better product.
High cost airlines like American, United and Delta need to appeal to customers that will spend more money. They need to earn a revenue premium since they aren’t going to be the low-cost producers of seats.
10 Ways To Make Southwest Rapid Rewards Better
Jun
11
2022
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards will never be the stuff dreams are made of. There are no first class upgrades (Southwest has no premium cabin). You can’t redeem your miles to the Maldives or Seychelles (no partner airline redemptions). But there are some simple changes that could supercharge the value of the Rapid Rewards program.
What Hilton’s CEO Doesn’t Get About The Hotel Business And Guests
Jun
10
2022
Hilton’s CEO wants guests to reuse their towels. He doesn’t think hotels should have to provide things better than what people have at home. He’s playing to owners, chasing fees, but diluting his brand – which will limit the ability to collect fees over time.
The Insanity Is Ending: Travel Testing Requirement For Flights To The U.S. Ends Sunday
Jun
10
2022
In a huge blow to the testing industry, a negative Covid-19 test will no longer be required to fly to the U.S. for departures starting Sunday at midnight. The rule made little sense, and contributed little, but created hassle and uncertainty for travelers.
Each Hotel Chain Is Approaching Housekeeping Differently In The New Normal
Jun
10
2022
Hotels have tried to lock in the savings of not cleaning rooms during stays, even as guests have returned. So we’ve seen many hotels move away from daily housekeeping on a permanent basis, though some still let guests request housekeeping during their stay.
I checked in with the major hotel chains on their housekeeping policies. While there’s sometimes a gap between the policies and pronouncements of a chain and on-the-ground reality, Hyatt seems to be doing the most to require hotels to provide housekeeping. Even where chains say it’s supposed to be an option, it may not be.
Hotels Now Want You To Tip Housekeeping via QR Code In Your Room
Jun
10
2022
Addressing one of the real frictions, or barriers to tipping, we’re also seeing tipping via QR code paired with a clever psychological trick thanks to Holiday Inn.
New AAdvantage Elite Benefits When Traveling On Qatar Airways
Jun
09
2022
American Airlines Platinum elites and higher now have access to extra legroom coach seats on Qatar Airways, complimentary at the time of booking, and Qatar Airways elites receive similar benefits on American.
