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Delta’s CEO: People Won’t Lose Their Jobs Due To Vaccine Mandate

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2021

Oct 13 2021

I’ve actually expected that the December 8 deadline will push, but not until we get close, because if major airlines are far off from compliance the Biden administration won’t want to be blamed for ruining holiday travel due to mass cancellations.

They’ll need a reason for the delay, of course, that isn’t this. They will want to declare victory, or offer an extension on technical grounds. This will be especially tough to avoid if Covid-19 prevalence in the U.S. is low overall as the end of November approaches.

Anthony Fauci Wants Vaccine Mandates For Domestic Air Travel

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2021

Oct 13 2021

Airlines take different positions on vaccine requirements for travel, depending on whether it’s international or domestic travel, and this isn’t because the virus somehow spreads differently when it is crossing borders.

American Airlines-JetBlue Elite Benefits Are Live Today, Mileage Redemption Starts Next Month

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2021

Oct 13 2021

The partnership between American Airlines and JetBlue started allowing each program’s members to earn miles and elite qualifying credit on each other’s flights back in the spring, and they announced that recognition of elite benefits across the two airlines would begin in the fall.

Elite benefits are here – today – and award redemption starts next month. Here are the details.

Are Southwest Employees Being Told To Lie In Response To Vaccine Mandates?

by Gary Leff on October 13, 2021

Oct 13 2021

Airline employees who may be engaged in sick outs over vaccine mandates are told to lie. They can’t speak publicly about what they are doing, because it would be an illegal job action under the Railway Labor Act. Are they being told to lie in order to show complaince with mandates, too?

Ryanair Refused Pandemic Refunds, Extorts Passengers Who Get Help From Credit Card Companies

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2021

ryan air plane landing

Oct 12 2021

Many customers took it upon themselves to seek help when airlines refused refunds during the pandemic. Some credit card companies were more helpful than others. American Express, apparently, was most likely to process chargebacks against Ryanair. After all, you cannot keep money for services that haven’t been delivered.

Now customers who succeeded with chargebacks, but bought new tickets for travel, are being told to return the refunds or their trips are off.

New Boston Celtics Credit Card From Cardless: 7x On Rideshare & Streaming

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2021

Oct 12 2021

This is interesting of course for the 7x points-earning categories, though that doesn’t represent huge spending for most people (which makes 7x possible to offer!), and even with 4x on dining this is strong earn for a no annual fee card.

Air Serbia Soon Coming To An Airport Near You [Roundup]

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2021

Oct 12 2021

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.

Airline Employees Organizing More Sick Outs To Protest Vaccines

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2021

Oct 12 2021

The narrative about Southwest’s troubles could become self-fulfilling at the airline and spread to other carriers. Pilots are watching the operational carnage at Southwest and realizing that they can take down the operation, even if they weren’t doing so already. And employees at other airlines are watching.

Almost-Kardashian Melts Down At Miami Airport Over Unvaccinated Fan Who Wants A Photo

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2021

Oct 12 2021

Blac Chyna, Rob Kardashian’s ex, has been arrested for MDMA at the Austin airport and virally chastised for hanging up her wig on the business class coat hook of her Air France flight.

Now she is making a scene at the Miami airport (natch) yelling at a fan who wanted a photo that she’d better be vaccinated. That’s fair, I don’t want unvaccinated folks coming up to me in airports either. Though she’s clearly not wearing a mask, in violation of federal rules.

Are The American Airlines And Southwest Employee Vaccine Mandates Suddenly Illegal?

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2021

Oct 12 2021

A federal vaccination requirement for employees of government contractors is probably legal. An OSHA emergency rule mandating vaccination or regular testing for employees of large companies is more questionable, but the Governor’s Executive Order is more questionable still. All of this simply adds uncertainty for companies in Texas – whose potentially illegal orders are we supposed to follow?

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 »