We’re In An Unprecedented Rental Car Crisis – And Airports Are Deliberately Making It Worse

by Gary Leff

white car with trunk up
Jun 01 2021

Everyone thought the pandemic was going to last longer and be worse for the economy, and made plans that they’ve now come to regret. Rental car companies sold off their fleets. Cars are scarce because manufacturers didn’t order the chips they’d need. So we’re looking at long rental car lines, and in some cases sky high prices up to $600 a day.

There’s an easy solution that would help customers, airlines, hotels, and more – but airports are fighting to protect the rental companies and keep prices sky high.

Continue Reading »

Hertz Charges Full Price Of Car Rental Redeemed As An Award Because Of Shortage Of Cars

by Gary Leff

Jun 01 2021

When he returned the car he got an emailed receipt showing he was charged “the full dollar amount of the rental.” When he called customer service he faced “several long holds” but was finally told he was charged because he “did not select the right vehicle type at SFO.”

In other words, he used his point for a standard vehicle. Hertz didn’t have that car, so the points couldn’t be used. Hertz did him a favor by renting him anything at all, but demanded cash for that rental. Only they never told the customer this was happening and that his award reservation wasn’t valid.

Continue Reading »

Hotels In India Offering Vaccine Packages For Residents Willing To Pay Extra For A Shot

by Gary Leff

May 31 2021

Hotels are collaborating with hospitals in India offering vaccine packages and India’s government is cracking down.

By working together with hotels to offer vaccines, Indian hospitals are creating an explicit price. They’re bundling the goods, and that makes it harder to separate how much you’re paying for an included bath robe versus for a life-saving jab.

Continue Reading »

Pete Buttigieg Argues Mask Mandates Must Stay, Government Must Require “Respect”

by Gary Leff

May 31 2021

The CDC declared that science supports not wearing a mask indoors if you’re vaccinated however you’re still required to wear a mask in airports and on planes through September 13.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg was challenged on the contradiction and argued that mask mandates should remain on planes even though they aren’t needed for vaccinated individuals in restaurants, bars and gyms.

Continue Reading »

Wide Open Business Class Awards, Tahiti – Los Angeles (9+ Seats Per Flight)

by Gary Leff

May 31 2021

French Polynesia is one of the toughest awards in the world to book. In part that’s because there are only 5 flights between the U.S. mainland and Tahiti, and they aren’t all offered daily. For instance the Air France flight from Los Angeles to Papeete is flown just 3 times a week.

However booking right now for next winter you can grab 9 or more business class saver award seats on the Air France flight from Papeete, Tahiti to Los Angeles – which is unprecedented. Book now, because this certainly won’t last. And operated with an Air France Boeing 777, this is the best business class product between the US and Tahiti as well.

Continue Reading »

Southwest Passenger Decided To Check A Pool Noodle As Baggage, Because Bags Fly Free

by Gary Leff

May 30 2021

At Southwest Airlines bags fly free. And that creates a weird incentive. How many passengers are letting that second free bag benefit go to waste?

You could become a courier and ship packages. Or you could toss in supplies for the pool party like Sydney Fowls did. She decided to check a pool noodle on her recent Southwest Airlines flight from Columbus, Ohio to Tampa.

Continue Reading »

DFW Airport Now Has Same-Day PCR Testing And Rapid Tests In Multiple Locations

by Gary Leff

May 30 2021

The people who run Priority Pass and The Club lounges also now provide Covid-19 testing at Dallas Fort-Worth airport. Collinson offers rapid tests and PCR tests, and for a premium will even turn around PCR tests same day (though it takes longer than just a layover). They tell me they have “applied to be a Trusted Partner with Hawaii and anticipates approval in June.”

Continue Reading »