Some accounts update quickly, while others experience delays. It can take 72 hours, but usually takes just a few. Bear in mind that you may now be booking mixed Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines itineraries, and your choice of loyalty program affects benefits.
Bizarre Airbnb Ultimatum: Guest Demands Full Holiday Wonderland Before Check-In [Roundup]
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.
Delta Boots Elite Passenger From First Class—Dog Takes Their Seat As Airline Cites ‘Policy,’ “Nothing We Can Do”
A Delta Air Lines elite passenger received a rare first class upgrade – but 15 minutes later was sent back to coach in order to give their seat up front to a dog instead. The airline told the customer that the dog was a service animal, and there’s “nothing they can do.”
Airlines Gutted First Class Upgrades—But A Premium Seat Explosion Could Change Everything
First class upgrades have become nearly non-existent. Delta says only about 12% of their first class seats go to upgrades, while 15 years ago, 81% of first class seats went to upgrades, awards and employees.
That may all be about to change.
Hilton Secretly Hikes Award Prices Before Holidays—Members Kept In The Dark
Hilton Honors quietly raised free award night redemption prices on the last Friday before the holidays. Since they stopped publishing award charts, they did not tell anyone that they did this, but your Honors points are now worth less than they were on Thursday.
Reagan National Airport’s Gate 35X Was So Awful It Took $1 Billion And 25 Years to Fix—But Its Sign Still Haunts Travelers
For years, the ‘worst airport gate in America’ was generally considered to be 35X at Washington’s Reagan National airport. There were competitors, like Miami’s D60 and the old D9 at LaGuardia before the terminal was redone. But 35X was the stuff of legend.
‘A Danger to Millions’: Detroit Airport’s Planned Cigar Lounge Sparks Outrage
Detroit airport is planning to add a cigar lounge, and anti-smoking groups are freaking out, claiming it “would expose millions of travelers and airport employees to harmful secondhand smoke.”
‘For the Environment’? A Used Band-Aid And No Housekeeping Leave Guests Furious At This Marriott
Maybe the most Marriott thing ever is allowing a hotel using their brand to get away with failing to meet brand standards and treat customers well – with a sign about how they aren’t going to do housekeeping, and proving it with a used band-aid in front of it that hasn’t been cleaned up by housekeeping.
Locking In Delta Diamond Status Until 2030: The Ultimate Frequent Flyer Coup [Roundup]
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.
Hyatt Regency SoMa’s $290M Default: Can San Francisco Stop Its Collapse Before It’s Too Late?
The hotel’s operating income fell by around three quarters compared to 2017. Travel to San Francisco declined, especially business travel, and meetings revenue fell off.