American Express Introduces Artist-Designed Centurion (“Black”) Cards And Prada Wearable

by Gary Leff

Aug 04 2021

The American Express Black Card (Centurion Card) has a $5000 annual fee and you pay a $7500 initiation fee your first year as a cardmember, too. It comes with standard Platinum card benefits (sans the $200 annual airline fee credit), plus Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, and IHG Rewards Platinum status. New in the last year is an Equinox Destination Access Membership, and a $1,000 annual Saks credit. Cardmembers sometimes receive expensive gifts too.

The card is getting a refresh. One cardmember sent me details on the package they’ve just received.

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Woman Says She Was Shamed By Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Over Her Crop Top

by Gary Leff

Aug 04 2021

Sierra Steadman took to TikTok – you can now stream her complaints free on American Airlines! – to complain that Alaska Airlines shamed her and threatened to kick her off her flight because of the top she was wearing.

A flight attendant, she says, asked to zip up her jacket. She says she complied. Then Ms. Steadman says the flight attendant grabbed her and pulled her back to berate her. Ms. Steadman emphasizes, “My problem is with how she acted after I complied with her request.”

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Duct Taped Passenger Speaks After New Video Emerges From His Flight

by Gary Leff

Aug 04 2021

By now much of the world has seen video of the Frontier Airlines Philadelphia – Miami passenger duct taped to his seat after reportedly spilling a cocktail on himself, taking off his shirt, touching up flight attendants and getting into a fight. The flight attendants who used the duct tape were suspended.

There’s new video that’s emerged of the passenger screaming for help as the plane lands, and he’s now expressing himself publicly about the incident.

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American Airlines Has Started Sending Out Elite Membership Kits Again

by Gary Leff

Aug 03 2021

Last year American Airlines stopped sending out physical elite membership cards and luggage tags to members promoting their “fully digital experience.” It was a cost-cutting move, taking something of emotional value away from top customers.

However elite kits are again being sent out to Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members. But if you’ve already qualified for next year’s status, you’ll need to call in to request yours.

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All Wuhan Flights Cancelled Again As Covid-19 Returns To Where It Began

by Gary Leff

Aug 03 2021

The original Covid-19 outbreak may have been nearly 40 times worse than official statistics suggest. The Wuhan airport re-opened in early April 2020 as a big show of Chinese success at containing Covid-19. They also put on a big show of disinfection, even though the airport had been closed for ten weeks.

Now they’re facing Delta, and transportation in and out of Wuhan is again cut off.

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With Airline In Meltdown, Spirit Tells Employees To Hide From Passengers For Safety

by Gary Leff

Aug 02 2021

Spirit Airlines cancelled over a third of its flights on Monday, after having cancelled a similar (though slightly larger) number on Sunday. All day I’ve been hearing about passenger revolts, especially in San Juan, Puerto Rico but also in places like Philadelphia.

In some cases employees… just left. What we’re finding out now is that they may have done this for their safety, to protect them from rioting passengers. And it even appears the airline may have advised them to get out of uniform so they couldn’t be attacked by stranded customers.

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