Mar
12
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.
Data Shows The Least Popular Hotel Chains In America
SCOOP: While American Airlines Prepared To Furlough Thousands Of Workers, Management Got Raises
Mar
12
2021
At the beginning of February American Airlines sent out 13,000 WARN Act notices letting employees know they might be furloughed at the beginning of April. At the same time American was preparing to provide widespread across-the-board raises to management.
View From The Wing has learned that American provided Level 5 (manager) employees and above. A third taxpayer bailout stopped the furloughs, but taxpayers will now be picking up the tab for raises.
How Southwest Airlines Circumvents The Mask Exemptions Required By The Federal Government
Mar
12
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.
Tell Me That Vaccinated People Can’t Travel Now, I Dare You
Mar
12
2021
The CDC tried to revise its guidelines for travel based on the science, but they were blocked by the Biden administration from doing so. CDC guidance still remains not to travel.
But the science tells us something different. Here’s what we know. Tell me you disagree.
Biden Administration Stopped CDC From Offering Guidance On Travel For Those Fully Vaccinated
Mar
11
2021
The CDC’s new guidelines for people that have been fully vaccinated do not allow for travel. They were going to change that, but the section of their guidance document that would have done so was removed after intervention by the Biden administration.
After Promising To Suspend Hotel Category Changes, Hyatt Will Make Category Changes
Mar
11
2021
Back in the fall Hyatt announced 15 hotels that would change redemption category but otherwise declared they would ‘suspend 2021 hotel category changes’.
That didn’t turn out to hold.
We’ll Probably Never See The Etihad Residence Or First Apartment Again
Mar
11
2021
I’ve flown Etihad’s First Apartment almost as much as Cathay Pacific first class over the years. It’s been my favorite use of American AAdvantage miles, and of course Etihad is both an American Express and Citibank transfer partner.
It’s been my go-to for trips to the Maldives (5 of my last 6 were on Etihad). I’ve visited the Mideast many times, alternating between Etihad and Emirates. And I’ve even chosen Middle East stops enroute to Australia because First Apartment redemptions for both long haul segments made the journey so easy. So the end of this spectacular product really hits home.
Man Spent 5 Years In Prison Because Hertz Wouldn’t Produce The Receipt That Proved His Innocence
Mar
11
2021
A Michigan man spent 5 years in jail for murder when all it would have taken to prove his innocence was a receipt from Hertz.
After numerous subpoenas and court orders, Hertz was ordered to appear in person and finally produced the receipt. The man’s conviction was overturned and he’s now free.
Air Canada’s New “Status Pass” Is A Benefit All Airlines Should Emulate
Mar
11
2021
Loyalty isn’t primarily about points or benefits. It isn’t transactional. It’s about building a relationship based on taking care of customers and building trust. That’s difficult to do in a mass way, even with elite benefits because that group can number in the tens of thousands (for top elites) to the seven figures (for lowest level).
A program systematizes how guests are cared through. Benefits are part of doing that. In formulating a set of benefits it’s most important to understand what matters most to the customers that matter most. That’s often how a travel brand cares for the people the member cares most about.
American Airlines On Criticizing Airline Subsidies While Taking Record Government Aid
Mar
11
2021
American Airlines CEO catapulted from securing Air Transportation Stabilization Board subsidies for America West, to taking over government-subsidized US Airways, to getting the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation on the side of acquiring American Airlines from within bankruptcy. Then he spent all his time in D.C. realizing there’s more revenue in taking money away from taxpayers than selling to customers. U.S. airlines will receive over $79 billion in federal support in a year.
As I put it about anti-Gulf carrier coalition member Delta, the U.S. airlines have always believed in subsidies for me, but not for thee.
