Delta Celebrates One Delta Diamond Family’s “Double Qualification” In The Atlanta Sky Club

by Gary Leff

Jan 27 2022

In the fictional book Up in the Air Great West Airlines counted all miles towards lifetime status and Ryan Bingham was on a quest for 1 million miles. He was being tracked by the airline along his quest and they celebrated his achievement when he reached it.

In the film version, George Clooney’s Bingham was an American Airlines flyer and on a quest for 10 million miles. Here he describes that when you hit 10 million “lifetime executive status, you get to meet the chief pilot Maynard Finch, and they put your name on the side of a plane.” Sadly none of that is true, but celebration moments do happen.

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When Will The U.S. Stop Requiring A Negative Covid Test To Enter The Country?

by Gary Leff

Jan 27 2022

The U.K. has recognized that a travel testing requirement didn’t provide benefit during the pandemic. It makes little sense in the U.S. where the virus is spreading widely already, and where vaccine boosters are widely available. The specific testing rules in place make even less sense since they don’t universally catch infections. But rules tend to outlive their usefulness even as political narrative. When will U.S. rules change, then?

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20% Discount Redeeming Award Stays At Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, Etc.

by Gary Leff

Jan 26 2022

When I spoke with IHG’s Senior Vice President of Loyalty last week about the chain’s revamp of its elite program that is now in progress, she told me that they would be offering an award discount this week for top tier elites.

In fact they’re out now with an offer of 20% off redemptions and it is available to co-brand credit card customers.

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American Airlines Inflight Service Cuts Are Everything That’s Wrong With American Society

by Gary Leff

Jan 26 2022

When I covered cuts in inflight service at the behest of its flight attendants union I pointed out all of the elements of hypocrisy and how this makes the American Airlines product worse.

In some sense American had no choice as a result of broader cultural issues we’re grappling with as we transition from the pandemic to endemic phase of dealing with Covid-19.

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What Delta Hopes You Don’t Notice In Their New Eco-Conscious Amenities Announcement

by Gary Leff

Jan 25 2022

There’s some eco-friendliness in the move, along with a drive to making pandemic cost cuts permanent. Whether customers enjoy the new amenities or not is what’s ultimately key. The wine in can they’ve selected may be perfectly fine compared to what’s usually served in domestic premium cabins, but I’d rather have wine selected on the basis of its quality and drinkability in the air than on the basis of packaging.

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