View from the Wing

From Santorini To South Africa, Hyatt Adds 12 New Partner Properties For Earning And Redemption

by Gary Leff on June 25, 2021

Jun 25 2021

Hyatt has a partnership with SLH Hotels that lets you earn points and status at those properties (when booking paid rates through Hyatt) and redeem points at these same properties, though not all of the hotels are part of this arrangement.

Shortly before the pandemic the partnership had grown to include about half of the SLH hotels. We hadn’t seen any additions since then, which isn’t surprising since many hotels would have wanted to pause investment in integration during the pandemic.

Government Subsidies Are Causing American Airlines To Cancel Hundreds Of Flights

by Gary Leff on June 25, 2021

Jun 25 2021

he last round of subsidies started after American Airlines was already cash flow break even starting in March.

And, it turns out, that the current round of airline payroll subsidies are actually the reason why American Airlines overscheduled its operation and is now cancelling flights.

Report: Hilton Will Build Hotel On Bulldozed Uyghur Mosque in China

by Gary Leff on June 25, 2021

Jun 25 2021

Hilton may be planning to build a hotel in China over a bulldozed Uyghur mosque. The Chinese government has engaged in ethnic cleaning against the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, detaining approximately a million people over the past 5 years and subjecting them to abuse and re-education, forcing them to denounce their religion.

Miami Passenger Attacks American Airlines Agent Who Demands She Gate Check Her Bag

by Gary Leff on June 25, 2021

Jun 25 2021

The situation begins as the agent and passenger have a confrontation over her bag at the bottom of the jet bridge, in front of the aircraft’s boarding door. The woman has words with him, not wanting to give up the bag. They both have their hands on the bag, wrestling for it as the woman tries to board even as she’s told she can’t bring it on. And the words escalate to violence, as she lunges at the employee.

Finally the employee grabs the bag and starts taking it up the jet bridge. The passenger latches onto it, and starts to get dragged with it.

TSA Will Teach Flight Attendants How To Beat Up Unruly Passengers

by Gary Leff on June 24, 2021

Jun 24 2021

When David Dao was dragged off of a United Express aircraft and bloodied, the carrier outsourced the dirty work to Chicago Aviation Police.

The TSA, though, has a program to teach flight attendants how to do this themselves. It’s been suspended during the pandemic. But the TSA announced today that they are bringing it back because of the rise of onboard incidents, mostly centered around masks.

American Airlines Will Bring Alcohol Back To Coach On September 13th

by Gary Leff on June 24, 2021

Jun 24 2021

According to American Airlines CEO Doug Parker, in a meeting with flight attendants (a recording of which was reviewed by View From The Wing), alcohol will be back in economy cabins starting September 13th. Parker tied bringing booze back in economy to the end of the federal mask mandate.

United’s Plan To Order New Jets Next Week Has Been Leaked

by Gary Leff on June 24, 2021

Jun 24 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.

American Airlines Gifting Free Elite Status To Many Flyers, “Cheapening” Executive Platinum

by Gary Leff on June 24, 2021

Jun 24 2021

Many American AAdvantage members who do not have any status at all are being gifted an elite level, upgrades, and a quick path to even earn the Executive Platinum level – with less flying and spending than the airline requires from current elites.

Delta Falsely Accuses Frequent Flyer Of Trafficking His Special Needs Daughter

by Gary Leff on June 24, 2021

Peter Espinosa flew first class from Minneapolis to Dallas on Delta with his 20 year old daughter who has genetic disorder Fragile X Syndrome. They were headed to visit his son – her brother – for Father’s Day.

A flight attendant saw a Hispanic man with a woman young enough to be his daughter and questioned her. The syndrome makes her nervous. So police met the aircraft and arrested him.

How Credit Card Rewards And Business Travel Influence The Value Of Miles

by Gary Leff on June 23, 2021

Jun 23 2021

In the June 23 Airlines Confidential podcast, former Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza lays out his framework for the circumstances under which to expect airline frequent flyer programs to devalue. He sees strong airline credit card performance as working against devaluation, which I think is incorrect, and he sees the future of business travel doing a lot to determine the value of miles.

From Santorini To South Africa, Hyatt Adds 12 New Partner Properties For Earning And Redemption

Government Subsidies Are Causing American Airlines To Cancel Hundreds Of Flights

Report: Hilton Will Build Hotel On Bulldozed Uyghur Mosque in China

Miami Passenger Attacks American Airlines Agent Who Demands She Gate Check Her Bag

TSA Will Teach Flight Attendants How To Beat Up Unruly Passengers

American Airlines Will Bring Alcohol Back To Coach On September 13th

United’s Plan To Order New Jets Next Week Has Been Leaked

American Airlines Gifting Free Elite Status To Many Flyers, “Cheapening” Executive Platinum

Delta Falsely Accuses Frequent Flyer Of Trafficking His Special Needs Daughter

How Credit Card Rewards And Business Travel Influence The Value Of Miles

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]