I didn’t have much interest in streaming Paramount+ but there’s a lot of content. My wife, daughter or I will certainly watch it once in the next 18 months making it worthwhile. I’ve set a calendar reminder to cancel before the service renews (and I also used a credit card that expires before that happens).
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.
Ottawa is under siege from a protest by anti-vaccine mandate truckers. These are mostly non-violent protests, but also shutting down the city. Most of Canada is vaccinated. There’s little incremental benefit to requiring this of truckers, who spend most of their work time alone. And truckers tend to do this by choice. Take people choosing to work solo, and try to make them do something, this is the group most likely to rebel not just most reasonable in feeling justified at rebelling.
Their trucks are choking off streets in the capital and protesters started digging in for the long haul. And now… hotels are cancelling reservations.
Spirit Airlines is being taken over by Frontier. The two large ultra low cost carriers in the U.S. are merging, if the U.S. government allows it, bringing together the primary drivers of lower fares and disaggregated service in the domestic market.
This morning’s Frontier Airlines operational meltdown – on the day of the merger announcement – may not be a good omen.
Southwest Airlines filed its 10-K with the SEC and as always it’s a treasure trove of information not just about the airline, but also about the Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program.
American Airlines has completed its $200 million investment in Gol for 22.2 million preferred shares (representing 5.2% ownership stake), and now American is announcing that “American’s AAdvantage® and GOL’s SMILES loyalty programs will [together] create the largest joint frequent flyer program in the Americas with enhanced benefits for customers.”
Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines have announced that they are merging. Combined they’ll offer 1000 daily flights and serve 145 destinations in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America and the transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
This is effectively Frontier taking over Spirit for three reasons.
Now, with substantial background immunity in additional to vaccination, the country is preparing to re-open its borders to tourists. The nation’s Prime Minister has announced a February 21 re-opening to tourism.
The ‘Mile High Club’ is 105 years old, and surveys show one-third of men want to join. Now anyone that has a willing partner can, for $995.
Marriott doesn’t let you book an award for someone else on the website. You have to call, wait on hold, an hope you get an agent that knows how to do it correctly – otherwise your guest may have a problem checking in. All of a sudden your good deed will turn out to be a travel nightmare.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
