August 3-5, 1981 were a remarkable set of days in U.S. aviation. The union declared a strike on August 3, 1981 which violated what is now 5 U.S.C. § 7311 prohibiting federal government employees from striking.
President Reagan ordered air traffic controllers back to work, calling their strike a “peril to national safety.” Reagan gave striking controllers 48 hours to return to work or lose their jobs. On August 5, 1981 he fired 11,345 striking controllers.
For several years Lufthansa has limited first class award availability to partner frequently flyer programs. Space has only been open within 14 days of travel. If you wanted to redeem miles for first class awards farther out, you’ve had to use Lufthansa’s own Miles & More miles (with the exception of a handful of brief glitches).
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Several Destination Residences are now bookable with Hyatt points. Some of these are amazing properties, and even good value. However there’s a dangerous pricing precedent at some locations where there aren’t “standard rooms” and everything costs more than the standard award chart as a result.
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.
A passenger on a Frontier Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Miami was duct taped to his seat on Saturday after spilling a cocktail on himself, taking off his shirt, touching up flight attendants and getting into a fight. And the flight attendants who used the duct tape have been suspended by the airline.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
