View from the Wing

Hotel Clerk Pummels Guest Who Goes Nuts After Refusing Covid-19 Temperature Check

by Gary Leff on August 12, 2020

Aug 12 2020

A front desk security camera at a hotel in Brazil caught a beat down that occurred between a guest and a check-in agent Saturday night after the 24 year old reception agent insisted on taking the customer’s temperature as they entered the property.

The man, who apparently objected to contactless thermometers the way some airline passengers feel about masks, seemed as though he was going to walk away and leave. He comes back and hits the employee with a pedestal and threw hand sanitizer as well. That’s when the desk agent goes full on Bruce Lee in Fists of Fury on the customer.

Earn 20,000 Miles In The New Aeroplan Program Nearly For Free (Fly To Europe With No Surcharges)

by Gary Leff on August 12, 2020

Aug 12 2020

Aeroplan is offering 2500 miles for new members after first activity in the account. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but because of a quirk in Aeroplan’s program that can be leveraged into 20,000 miles worth of travel.

[Roundup] 2500 Free Aeroplan Miles and The Last Blockbuster Video Is Now An Airbnb

by Gary Leff on August 12, 2020

Aug 12 2020

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.

Marriott Eliminates ‘Make A Green Choice’ Points As No Housekeeping Becomes Standard

by Gary Leff on August 12, 2020

Aug 12 2020

Hotels need to work harder to please guests when they have empty rooms. Delivering less value than before is a recipe for lower rates and more empty rooms. Moving to a no housekeeping standard where it no longer makes sense to compensate guests for no housekeeping is the wrong equilibrium for recovery.

A Whole New Level Of Awful Passenger Behavior Inflight

by Gary Leff on August 12, 2020

Aug 12 2020

Every basic warning exists because someone has done it before, like Mitt Romney ironing his clothes while wearing them. But an inflight foot massage in economy? This may be the worst thing I’ve ever seen on a plane. This is a whole new entry into “what’s grosser than gross?”

American Extends Flexible Booking Policy, Will Even Allow Name Changes For Business Travel

by Gary Leff on August 11, 2020

Aug 11 2020

It’s been clear for months that airlines need to continue waiving change fees in order to convince customers to buy tickets. Otherwise their plans are just too uncertain to pull the trigger on travel.

American’s policy has been extended, applies to award travel even next year, and the airline will allow name changes on business travel tickets.

Conservative Activist Arrives At Airport, Shocked American Airlines Banned Him For Mask Shenanigans

by Gary Leff on August 11, 2020

Aug 11 2020

David Harris, Jr., whose book title describes himself as a black conservative, posted a livestream refusing to wear a mask on American Airlines. With a wink and a nod he suggested that a medical issue with a mask was enough to exempt anyone from the requirement. It was clear he didn’t have a ‘real’ medical need. Indeed he had a photo of himself on Instagram wearing a mask.

He’s posted a new video to twitter showing the airline turning him away for his past mask altercation, and he’s shocked that no one from the airline told him he was banned.

The 7 Best Things About The New Aeroplan Program (And 4 Things You’re Not Going To Like)

by Gary Leff on August 11, 2020

Aug 11 2020

Air Canada started off with arguably the best top elite tier in the world. They had a competitive award redemption program. A decade ago it was best in North America. A series of devaluations and the addition of fuel surcharges changed that, though it remained competitive because of even greater devaluations by U.S. airline programs.

The program was disjointed because the elite program was separate from – and owned by a different company, even – redeemable mileage earning and burning. Air Canada re-acquired their Aeroplan frequent flyer program, and they’ve announced plans for relaunching it November 8.

There are some great new features of the program. On the whole it seems like the program is better. There are, however, some features not to like or wish were better.

United Airlines Evacuates Operations From Downtown Chicago Due To Riots

by Gary Leff on August 11, 2020

Aug 11 2020

For several years gun crimes have been a major concern in the U.S. except when they’re happening in Chicago. A couple of things have changed, though. And protests and riots in downtown Chicago have prompted the airline based there to move operations to the suburbs and layover flight crew at airport hotels.

If Our Government Was Competent, Banning People From Entering With Diseases Could Make Sense

by Gary Leff on August 11, 2020

Aug 11 2020

The federal government is considering new rules “that would allow border officials to temporarily block an American citizen or legal permanent resident from returning to the United States from abroad if the authorities have reason to believe the person may be infected with the coronavirus.”

However they’d do this based on their best guess – and not testing – and they’re considering doing this now after the coronavirus barn door has already been left open.

Hotel Clerk Pummels Guest Who Goes Nuts After Refusing Covid-19 Temperature Check

[Roundup] 2500 Free Aeroplan Miles and The Last Blockbuster Video Is Now An Airbnb

Marriott Eliminates ‘Make A Green Choice’ Points As No Housekeeping Becomes Standard

A Whole New Level Of Awful Passenger Behavior Inflight

American Extends Flexible Booking Policy, Will Even Allow Name Changes For Business Travel

Conservative Activist Arrives At Airport, Shocked American Airlines Banned Him For Mask Shenanigans

The 7 Best Things About The New Aeroplan Program (And 4 Things You’re Not Going To Like)

United Airlines Evacuates Operations From Downtown Chicago Due To Riots

If Our Government Was Competent, Banning People From Entering With Diseases Could Make Sense

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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® For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]