American Airlines Expanded Early, But At The Last Minute Is Scaling Back August Flights

by Gary Leff

Jul 22 2020

American Airlines has been one of the most aggressive in restoring its schedule. As Senior Vice President Vasu Raja has explained, with the federal government picking up payroll costs through September, at $35 oil their break-even load factor is 25%. So they added a bunch of flights to the schedule, restoring 55% of 2019’s capacity.

A month and a half ago I said to expect that travel wouldn’t rebound as quickly as some expected. Even at low break-even levels American is finding they need to scale back their flying again.

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Today Only: Park Hyatt Maldives Pool Villa $402+Tax Including Meals

by Gary Leff

Jul 22 2020

The Park Hyatt Maldives is discounting to $2495 for a 5 night stay for two people ($499/night) including tax which equates to a rate of $402 per night. You can add additional nights for $499 each, again tax-included, and this covers double occupancy. And the deal – for a pool villa, not a base villa – includes breakfast and dinner.

I’ve stayed at the property five times. It’s one of my favorite places. There are just 50 rooms on the island, each one is a standalone villa and the villas themselves are largely the same but for location and whether there’s a pool. Service is generally good and friendly, and it’s a great place for social distancing. You can hang out at the main pool, or with this deal at your own pool.

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United Airlines Now Requires Face Masks In The Airport And For Two Year Old Children

by Gary Leff

Jul 22 2020

Many airports already require face masks, but United is imposing the requirement now at airports themselves starting this Friday, July 24. They’re putting the same teeth of a potential travel ban in place for customers not wearing masks in areas of the terminal that they control.

The airline will also be requiring that masks be worn by all children two years old and older.

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One Man Has Been Traveling The Country Videotaping Women Naked In Their Hotel Rooms

by Gary Leff

Jul 21 2020

After getting discovered the man stayed in his room. The women called police, who then knocked on his door. He denied having anything to do with a camera but the officer said ‘he could get a warrant’ and the perpetrator cracked.

Robert Mann Privette from South Carolina was arrested for “video voyeurism” and burglary. He admitted to using this camera technique on business trips he had taken across the country – he couldn’t even say how many times though copped to “ten-plus times over the past year.”

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Air Canada: At Least Double Miles On All Flights, And 40% Rebate On Business Class Awards

by Gary Leff

Jul 21 2020

Air Canada is running a duo of rich promotions. These aren’t going to move the needle to get most Americans to travel since actually visiting Canada isn’t feasible right now given quarantine requirements and connecting on Air Canada is of limited use given the number of countries that are closed to those carrying U.S. passports.

Nonetheless these are offers to watch, because they underscore what a loyalty program can do to help get members excited and because they’ll be gathering strong data on how much promotions can move the needle right now on travel in places where the virus seems under control.

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The J.W. Marriott Phuket Wants Out Of Bonvoy, And They’re Suing

by Gary Leff

Jul 21 2020

The J.W. Marriott Phuket, whose ownership group also has the St. Regis Bangkok, believes that Marriott is mismanaging their resort property. The hotel failed to reach budgeted goals between 2013 and 2018 and there hasn’t been a budget agreed to since. Even before the pandemic they were doing less revenue today than they were in 2013.

They want out of the Bonvoy program, and Marriott won’t let them leave.

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EEOC Is Suing United Because They Won’t Let Alcoholic Pilot Fly Without Attending AA

by Gary Leff

Jul 21 2020

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit Monday against United Airlines arguing that they violated a pilot’s religious liberty by insisting he attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, arguing he should be permitted to substitute a Buddhist alternative.

In 2018 the entered an alcohol treatment facility and lost his pilot’s license. There’s a process to regain his license. This includes completing a substance abuse treatment program geared towards pilots. At United Airlines that includes attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and completing “at least the first five steps of AA’s 12-step programme.”

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