Nov
07
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.
The Pandemic Is Almost Over
The Value Of Points From Each Airline, Hotel, And Transferable Points Program
Nov
07
2021
The value of frequent flyer miles is something I’ve been calculating for years. I think what makes my approach different is I lay out the theory behind my valuations, I explain a lot of the moving pieces, and I present a comparison between my valuations and the valuations others are giving. I first laid this out the value of frequent flyer miles in 2014 and then updated values in 2016, 2017 and 2019. I skipped 2020 due to the pandemic but a tremendous amount has changed. Air Canada launched a new program with the same name (raising redemption prices but eliminating fuel surcharges), Delta and United devalued partner awards more than once, Capital One launched transferrable points mostly at 1:1, and new program Bilt entered the transferable points space – to name just a few…
Several Marriott Hotels Sell Rooms Through Airbnb – For Less Money Or Instead Of Marriott.com At All
Nov
07
2021
Marriott has their own homesharing platform to compete directly with Airbnb, but Marriott hotels list at Airbnb and not Marriott Homes & Villas, and in some cases pull their room inventory from Marriott entirely to sell suites through Airbnb.
What I find perhaps most striking is nobody at Marriott corporate thought to Google “airbnb+[Marriott brand]” to suss this stuff out?
Marriott Hotel Sells Its Best Rooms Through Airbnb – Not Marriott.com
Nov
06
2021
Given the threat that Airbnb poses to the traditional lodging model, I was surprised to read a review of the Moxy Portland Downtown that included the discovery that they sell their suite on Airbnb – and not Marriott.com.
Southwest Airlines Gate Agent ‘Weird Al’ Serenades Arriving Passengers With Song Parodies
Nov
06
2021
Southwest passengers arriving in Phoenix were greeted by a serenading gate agent, caught on video and shared to social media. Sound on, “Going through corona is so dang cruel, seems like a time that we made a change, ya I’m feeling the strain…Give me airline with heart and soul, one that takes some time to sing some rock ‘n roll…”
“Drift Away” has been covered by Michael Bolton and Uncle Kracker, but this Southwest gate agent is the airline’s Weird Al Yankovic and parodies songs with his own airline-related lyrics.
When Delta Customer Service Won’t Take Smack From Customers:
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.
American Airlines Will Give Flight Attendants Up To 300% Pay To Show Up For The Holidays
Nov
06
2021
American Airlines melted down at the end of October without enough cabin crew to work flight. This followed a meltdown in June caused by not having enough Boeing 737 pilots. United Airlines sent an email to all its customers throwing shade at them, and suggesting they book United for the holidays.
In order to prevent a repeat of the October flight attendant debacle, American Airlines is throwing money at the problem (err, at the flight attendants).
American Airlines Has New Regional Jets That Are Missing Rows Of Seats
Nov
06
2021
American Airlines customers may find themselves on a regional jet with rows of seats missing. Here’s the front of the cabin of an American Eagle Embraer ERJ-175, registration N502SY, operated by SkyWest. This is a new aircraft, just delivered in August 2021.
Berlin Airport About To Go Bankrupt, Finds Water Is Undrinkable
Nov
05
2021
The Berlin airport still has huge problems. First of all the airport is on the brink of bankruptcy and expects to run out of money at the start of next year.
Wherever the money has gone, it clearly hasn’t been invested in clean water, which brings us to the second recent problem: the water isn’t safe to drink in terminal 1 which is host to Lufthansa Group carriers, Air France, British Airways, easyJet, United and others.
Westin Hotel Uses Shared Bath Amenities, With Zero Tamper Protection
Nov
05
2021
Wall mounted bottles don’t get properly cleaned or refilled, and they’re a prime target for tampering by a practical joker or someone with more sinister motives.
A perfect example was a recent reader stay at the Westin Detroit Metro Airport.
