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American Just Announced New Los Angeles – Beijing Service Starting December 16

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2016

Mar 28 2016

American has made it pretty clear they want to win Los Angeles, the way that Delta has worked to win New York. Both are major US markets, and hyper-competitive.

American has grown both with its own flights — they recently added a Sydney flight (with an improved inflight service), they’re adding Auckland, New Zealand, and they’re adding Tokyo Haneda service and Hong Kong as well not to mention Shanghai with a 787 — and those are all international routes that face competition.

Is Delta Buying Virgin America?

by Gary Leff on March 24, 2016

Mar 24 2016

News broke yesterday that Virgin America had received a takeover offer and was shopping itself to potential buyers.

We can eliminate United as the acquirer — the Justice Department would pretty quickly shut down such a degree of consolidation in San Francisco where United has a hub and Virgin America is based.

I suggested it was conceivable that JetBlue, a more boutique-style carrier focused on New York, could bulk up on the West Coast by aligning itself with Virgin America. I’m not predicting it but it would increase competition overall rather than reducing it. And it would presumably pass muster with anti-trust review.

World’s First Lie Flat Premium Economy Seat and Korean Air Nut Rage Dad Bashes Pilots

by Gary Leff on March 22, 2016

Mar 22 2016

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.

Terrible Thoughts on Today’s Brussels Airport Bombing

by Gary Leff on March 22, 2016

Mar 22 2016

There were two explosions in the Brussels airport departure hall around around 8 a.m. local time today. There was also an explosion at a subway station near EU headquarters. Flights were suspended. US flights to Brussels landed safely. Intra-european flights were diverted or returned to their origin.

As of this writing at least 13 have been reported dead at the airport and 15 at the subway station. Although some of what we will read and see on television reported today will turn out to be wrong.

One of the airport explosions is reported to have been near the American Airlines check-in counter, the other near the check-in desk for Brussels Airlines. American confirmed their “employees and contractors are accounted for with no reported injuries.”

Australia Now Appears Pretty Much Off-Limits to Delta SkyMiles Members

by Gary Leff on March 19, 2016

Mar 19 2016

Delta pretty much never makes business class saver awards available on its own Los Angeles – Sydney flight.

Nevertheless, you could used to be able to use Delta SkyMiles to get to Australia in business class — flying the long way through Asia. You could make award bookings on China Southern or China Eastern (with fuel surcharges) connecting in Shanghai or Guangzhou respectively. Or you could make an award booking on Korean Air through Seoul.

American Award Redemption Before the Devaluation: Go to Europe for the Holidays in Business Class

by Gary Leff on March 16, 2016

Mar 16 2016

With American AAdvantage devaluing its award chart March 22 there’s a ton of last minute requests for space.

And for the conspiracy theorists out there expecting American to remove all award space until March 22 arrives, I’ve pointed out fantastic space to South America. There’s decent Asia availability come the end of the year. And here’s a route to try when nothing else works.

You can go to Europe for the holidays as well.

15 Things I Love About the Citi Prestige Card

by Gary Leff on March 15, 2016

Mar 15 2016

For the past year Citi Prestige has been the ‘it’ card, and for very good reason. It’s chock full of benefits. Citi has built a premium card to surpass others at the price point. It’s built a transferrable points program, let you use the points at a strong value towards paid airfare, and bundled not just traditional benefits like lounge access but unique benefits like VIP treatment at restaurants and free golf.

Here are the 15 things I love about the product.

United’s New International Business Class Seat and How to Get IHG to Make Good on Missing Contest Entries

by Gary Leff on March 14, 2016

Mar 14 2016

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.

The Most Generous US Airline Program Won’t Go Revenue-Based

by Gary Leff on March 14, 2016

Mar 14 2016

Alaska Airlines is arguably running both the best airline operation (based on mainline on-time statistics for a non-Hawaiian U.S. carrier) and the most profitable one (based on operating margin). That’s in spite of their intense ‘Battle for Seattle’ with frenemy Delta, the partner that’s been building up a hub in their home town. Alaska has been growing significantly, and rewarding their Mileage Plan members.

At a time when everyone else is cutting back marketing spend through less generous frequent flyer plans, Alaska Airlines has been doubling down with a generous rewards program.

It wasn’t always going to be that way.

Why You Should Always Work on Vacation

by Gary Leff on March 13, 2016

Mar 13 2016

Planning vacations contributes more to your happiness than actually taking them. You may need to go on vacation to justify all of the planning time.

Most people get all of their relaxation benefits on the trip itself. Don’t expect to be relaxed when you get back. We quickly snap back into the stress of daily life, sans any benefit from the vacation.