ASIA

Search Results for "ASIA".

Starwood is Reducing Their Booking Window, Changes Award Prices at 17% of Hotels

hotel lobby
Feb 08 2018

Starwood is reducing the booking window — how far out you can make reservations — on February 11.
You’ll only be able to make reservations 350 days in advance instead of 550 (not all hotels loaded inventory 550 days out previously).

In addition Starwood has announced award category changes for 2018 which will go into effect March 6th.

Continue Reading »

Crisis Deepening in the Maldives

road going to houses over water
Feb 05 2018

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen was elected in 2013, and is a member of the Maldivian Democratic Party. His half brother Maumoon Gayoom ruled the country prior to the nation’s first democratic elections in 2008.

The country’s first elected President Mohamed Nasheed was forced to resign in what amounted to a coup in 2012. The new government, representing interests fro the old regime, had him tried and convicted on terrorism charges.
The nation’s Supreme Court threw out those charges last week. The court also ordered the release of other opposition lawmakers who were being held.

Continue Reading »

How World of Hyatt Creates a Perverse Disincentive for Elites to Stay at Their Hotels

hotel lobby
Feb 03 2018

When confirmed suite upgrades were introduced they were awarded at the beginning of an elite year, expired after 12 months, but could be applied to future reservations after their expiration date as long as they were confirmed prior to expiration.

Then with the new CRM Hyatt implemented an unintended consequence was that suite upgrades expired 12 months after being awarded without the ability to apply them to future reservations.

Continue Reading »

Will Airline Awards Soon Book into Basic Economy?

airline cabin
Jan 27 2018

I’ve gotten asked increasingly frequently lately now that United, Delta, and American all offer Basic Economy fares (no advance seat assignment, no cancel/changes, no upgrades or extra legroom seats, and in United’s and American’s case no full-sized carry on bag) how soon until saver awards book into Basic Economy?

Continue Reading »

United’s President Just Gave an Economics Lecture to Investors About the Airline’s Future

Jan 23 2018

As a general matter I think any airline whose operations are being run by Scott Kirby is going to get worse not better for customers in terms of passenger experience. At the same time there’s no one in the industry I’d rather listen to because he’s earnest and thoughtful and lays out more clearly than anyone else his belief about how his business, and the broader industry, works.

He walked through airline economics, United’s positioning, and marginal analysis with a primary goal of convincing investors it is okay for United to grow.

Continue Reading »

Do Hotels Make You Prove You’re Eligible for AAA or Corporate Discounts?

AAA renewal
Jan 22 2018

Five years ago a couple of commenters noted being asked to show their AAA card at hotel check-in when staying on a AAA rate. I have never seen this happen myself.

Later that year when AAA sent me a renewal notice with the card I asked readers whether I should just pocket that to show ‘just in case’ or actually pay for the membership, universally the sentiment was ‘you use the discount you pay for the membership.’

Continue Reading »