View from the Wing

The Biden Administration Is About To Make Life Hard For Unvaccinated Families Who Travel

by Gary Leff on October 27, 2021

Oct 27 2021

In addition to welcoming foreign visitors coming from previously-banned countries and imposing a new vaccination requirement on non-residents entering the U.S. by air (with exceptions) there are new rules for unvaccinated Americans returning to the U.S.

They aren’t based on science of protecting public health, they’re meant to make life difficult for the unvaccinated. Depending on your view you may favor this! I’m 100% pro-vaccine. But don’t pretend it’s something else.

Even Easier To Earn Top American Airlines Credit Card Status In 2022 Than It Seemed

by Gary Leff on October 26, 2021

Oct 26 2021

The new American Airlines elite status-earning program that goes into effect next year is going to make some flyers very happy. Anyone who can spend a lot on credit cards is going to find status-earning much easier. In fact, you can earn Executive Platinum status with $200,000 in spend alone.

It turns out that in addition to having a longer period in which to do credit card spend, you don’t even need to spend as much next year.

United Airlines Will Run 32 New York-DC Flights A Day To Squat Their Slots

by Gary Leff on October 26, 2021

Oct 26 2021

New York LaGuardia, New York JFK and Washington National airports are ‘slot controlled’. That means there are limits on the number of takeoffs and landings at each airport, and the right to use those have been given (free!) to incumbent airlines as a property right. That’s a huge subsidy to incumbent carriers.

Normally slots come with ‘use it or lose it’ rules. If an airline doesn’t make use of their slots 80% of the time, those slots can be reassigned to another carrier. As a result you’ll see airlines flying more or less ghost flights, service designed to hold the slot rather than meet any economic need.

American Airlines Completely Changes How Elite Status Is Earned, Makes Most Miles Count

by Gary Leff on October 26, 2021

Oct 26 2021

American Airlines is changing how elite status is earned. You’ll be able to earn status with most of your activity in the program, not just flying. And they’ve actually created a fairly simple system, where almost everything counts and the “Loyalty Points” you earn over the course of 12 months determines your status.

Big Marriott Changes: Status And Benefits Extensions, Dropping Award Charts

by Gary Leff on October 26, 2021

Oct 26 2021

Marriott is extending elite status again, extending free night and suite upgrade certificates, and making free night certificates easier to use. And they’re getting rid of award charts, moving to a more revenue-based redemption system starting in March.