Westin Drops Its Workout Partnership With New Balance, No More Workout Clothes For Guests

by Gary Leff

Dec 18 2020

Starwood was a pioneer 17 years ago when it introduced “Westin Workout Powered By Reebok.” They’d make workout clothes available to guests, so you wouldn’t have to pack them but could still get exercise in. And they put exercise equipment in some rooms, too.

The idea was that a hotel doesn’t just give you a place to sleep, and maybe stay nourished, but helps you live your active lifestyle and be ready for the day with peak performance. The trend towards hotels offering a ‘wellness’ or lifestyle experience has only grown since then.

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American Express Surveys Possible $750 Marriott Credit Card

by Gary Leff

looking down at credit card
Dec 17 2020

Today the $450 annual fee Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant offers 2 points per dollar (plus 3x at restaurants and airlines and 6 points at Marriotts); Platinum status after $75,000 spent each year; a $300 Marriott credit; Priority Pass Select; and an annual free night up to 50,000 points. They’re evaluating annual fees for this card up to $650 or even $750, but here’s what they’d offer.

They’re surveying a new, lower fee product too.

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The CEO of Emirates Now Leases Planes To American Airlines

by Gary Leff

Dec 17 2020

Now that airlines have been getting direct subsidies from the U.S. government during the pandemic, and they’re on the cusp of more, they no longer oppose airline subsidies.

One of the arguments they deployed during their campaign against Mideast airlines, though, is that the Gulf carriers weren’t just subsidized by their governments but their fortunes were too intertwined with those of the state. They pointed out that the CEO of Emirates, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, is a member of Dubai’s ruling family and in addition to founding the airline also serves as President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

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For New Transportation Secretary, United Airlines Gate B5 At Chicago O’Hare Will Always Be Special

by Gary Leff

airport
Dec 17 2020

Mayor Pete Buttigieg has no particular experience in transportation policy or running a large bureaucracy, but he did propose to his husband at Chicago O’Hare – though it wasn’t because of any particular love of aviation. Still, O’Hare has already changed its twitter profile and United Airlines is memorializing gate B5 online.

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Get 6 Months Of CLEAR Membership Free (Including Free Family Members Added To Your Account)

by Gary Leff

Dec 16 2020

CLEAR takes your finger prints and retina scan and lets you access airport security checkpoints without ID, and some other venues as well. There’s usually no line to use CLEAR, so you skip the security wait. At busy airports and peak times it can be much better than using PreCheck.

The service is offered by a private company, and you pay for it. However through December 31 you can sign up with six months free.

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Cheap Covid Tests We Could Take Everyday – And Travel – Are Here, But FDA Screwed It Up

by Gary Leff

Dec 16 2020

Back in August I wrote that cheap $5, 15 minute Covid-19 tests could really open up travel and other activities.

The good news is that the Abbott Labs BinaxNOW test I wrote about four months ago has finally received an Emergency Use Authorization. The bad news is that this $5 test is now a $30 test because in order to approve it the government required people taking the test to be monitored. And it requires a prescription.

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After 9 Years, Delta Drops Draconian Award Change/Redeposit Rule

by Gary Leff

Dec 16 2020

Nine years ago Delta started requiring all changes or cancellations of award travel be made at least 72 hours prior to departure. If you had a last minute change of plans, you’d have to forfeit your ticket and buy a new one. If better award space opened up close to departure, you were out of luck.

Delta has finally dropped the 72 hour requirement to change or cancel an award.

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JetBlue Elite Status Comes With Companion Pass At The Start Of 2021

by Gary Leff

jetblue plane
Dec 16 2020

JetBlue was on a cost-cutting trajectory going into the pandemic. They haven’t eliminated change fees the way other U.S. airlines have on non-Basic Economy fares. But they’re having to turn to their loyalty program to drive bookings.

And they’ve announced several changes that make it easier to earn elite status, and more valuable to do so. They’re introducing lower qualification thresholds, several months of a companion pass, and new bonuses.

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