View from the Wing

Why Marriott Rewards Is Better Than It Was Before The Starwood Merger

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2021

Jul 23 2021

I dunk on Marriott a lot for its failure to deliver on promised benefits, for its clueless customer service agents, and its broken IT. And Starwood members are generally unhappy with the Marriott Bonvoy program. To be fair, benefits aren’t received as consistently as they used to be for Starwood members. The credit card’s earning isn’t as rich. And top status is harder to earn, with a minimum spend requirement at the 100-night level to receive ‘Ambassador’ service that no longer includes an individual assigned Ambassador.

However, for Marriott Rewards program members the Starwood merger has surprisingly been a blessing and that’s really easy to forget.

United Deplanes Flight After Passenger Airdrops Photo Of Toy Gun

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2021

Jul 23 2021

The flight from San Francisco to Orlando was supposed to leave at 2 p.m. but the flight was “held on the tarmac after several passengers reported receiving inappropriate photos” according to a passenger.

This Marriott Tacks On An Undisclosed 4% Extra Fee For The Lightbulbs In Your Room

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2021

Jul 23 2021

The Fort Wayne, Indiana Fairfield Inn by Marriott is billing guests a surprise “energy surcharge” that appears to be 4% of the room rate. This surcharge isn’t disclosed to customers when booking their room.

Southwest Airlines CEO: Let Our Vaccinated Passengers Take Off Their Masks!

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2021

Jul 23 2021

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly says he – and the airline lobbying group he leads – wants to see the federal transportation mask mandate end September 13 and he also says he believes airline passengers should be able to follow the same guidance set out by the CDC for everyone else – that no mask is needed if you’ve been vaccinated.

Delta Now Lets SkyMiles Members Earn Lifetime Diamond Status

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2021

Jul 23 2021

Delta has offered up to lifetime Platinum status (’75k tier’), along with an annual gift, for million milers. Now they’ve introduced lifetime Diamond status at the 6 million mile level, including qualifying miles from all sources (including spend on premium credit cards).

Crewmember Drags Homophobic Disney Rant Woman Off American Airlines Flight

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2021

Jul 23 2021

A passenger on board an American Airlines flight from Dallas – Fort Worth to Orlando went on a homophobic rant in which she accused Disney of having been “corrupted” by advocates of same sex marriage.. or something to that effect.

The disruptive passenger, who was unwilling to wear her face mask over her nose and mouth, was pulled off the aircraft by the arm by a flight attendant, after the aircraft returned to the gate.

Only One Airline Has A Stronger Brand Than Emirates And Turkish

by Gary Leff on July 22, 2021

Jul 22 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’s President Was Asked About Lack Of Seat Back Video. Here’s What He Said.

by Gary Leff on July 22, 2021

Jul 22 2021

During the question and answer portion of Thursday’s American Airlines earnings call, airline President Robert Isom was asked about the airline’s removal of seat back entertainment screens from its domestic aircraft, and whether they have any regrets since both Delta and United will be offering what many customers see as a more premium product?

State Department Takes Online Passport Appointment System Offline For Last-Minute Bookings

by Gary Leff on July 22, 2021

Jul 22 2021

When you need your passport renewed, and you have travel within 72 hours, it’s possible to get emergency expedited service. However the State Department has taken the ability to schedule this offline.

The State Department did this because people are using bots to schedule these appointments and then sell them. But this is a cop out.

United Says Their Newark Operation Is Going To Become A Disaster

by Gary Leff on July 22, 2021

Jul 22 2021

A read out from an employee meeting at United details the headaches the airline is going to face at Newark over the next few months, and what that means from passengers. They’ve also detailed how they’re using the crisis to get the government to limit competition from other airlines in the Newark market.

Why Marriott Rewards Is Better Than It Was Before The Starwood Merger

United Deplanes Flight After Passenger Airdrops Photo Of Toy Gun

This Marriott Tacks On An Undisclosed 4% Extra Fee For The Lightbulbs In Your Room

Southwest Airlines CEO: Let Our Vaccinated Passengers Take Off Their Masks!

Delta Now Lets SkyMiles Members Earn Lifetime Diamond Status

Crewmember Drags Homophobic Disney Rant Woman Off American Airlines Flight

Only One Airline Has A Stronger Brand Than Emirates And Turkish

American’s President Was Asked About Lack Of Seat Back Video. Here’s What He Said.

State Department Takes Online Passport Appointment System Offline For Last-Minute Bookings

United Says Their Newark Operation Is Going To Become A Disaster

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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]