If you thought I was being hyperbolic when I explained Air Canada’s major devaluation of elite status as the airline thinking their elites were over-entitled and they were determined to do something about it… Thread Tripping highlights PR comments from the airline that make my point for me. Truly, I don’t recall ever seeing such revealing honesty from an airline. We should simultaneously applaud the lack of spin, and avoid the airline. Unfortunately for our friends up North, their options for a network carrier are quite limited. I’m going to be blunt: we are not a charity. …It’s not a secret that we would prefer our customers sitting in the [business class] cabin to have paid for it. And the reason why they don’t want elites sitting in empty premium cabin seats: 1) It cheapens…
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HOT Business Class Fare: Bangkok – Beijing Under $400 Roundtrip
While probably of limited use to most of my readers, who are US-based, there’s a business class fare of less than $400 roundtrip between Bangkok and Beijing on oneworld member Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur). On the other hand, many readers do book awards to Asia and may find some use, and certainly it’s great to see good fares at the end of the year when folks need to requalify for status. It’s certainly helpful for those looking to requalify on tier points in the British Airways Executive Club. One-way is even cheaper, but roundtrip is less than half a one-way. The least expensive place to book should be the Malaysia Airlines website, but it’s bookable most anywhere. It’s widely available. Sample itinerary: The pricing breakdown: That’s about 7000 miles roundtrip in business class. (HT:…
Here’s My Elite Status Update.. And Why I Chose Each Travel Program
I share my thoughts and advice on loyalty programs all of the time, I thought it would be useful — and only fair — to also share what I do and let you evaluate whether I practice my own advice. At the same time, where I focus my own stays (and how much I’m traveling) may help put my advice in context and illuminate how I think about travel. Ten months into the year it looks like I’ll fly about 200,000 miles and I’ll have stayed in hotels about 40% of the year. Not all the miles and nights are elite qualifying. I’ve been flying a bunch of British Airways-issued short haul award tickets on American and US Airways. Add in three major Asia Pacific first class award trips, and one-third of my miles are…
Just When Cheap Mileage Purchase Gravy Train Seemed to End, One Last Reprieve
Last month I broke that news that perennial mileage sales deep discounter US Airways would change their ways… [A]t a latest case come November the bonus and pricing structure for US Airways miles will look more like the old American approach. That the last 100% purchase bonus for US Airways miles would be the last time US Airways miles were on sale at 1.88 cents apiece. And that come November US Airways would be selling miles in a way that aligns with how American AAdvantage does it, as part of their merger and in advance of combining the two frequent flyer programs. It turns out this prediction and news was correct. As One Mile at a Time notes, a new US Airways buy miles promotion is up. And it’s exactly the sort of tiered bonus,…
One Last Hurrah in American’s First Class Flagship Suite!
American’s 777-200s are being retrofitted, and the first one is now in service with a brand new business class that looks fantastic but no longer offering first class. Since American’s 777-300ER aircraft got a new first class, that means the old Flagship Suites are being retired. I reviewed American’s first class lounge at New York JFK at the start of the trip. From the lounge I proceeded to the departure gate just as boarding was already starting to commence. And there she was! It’s like a throwback to what feels like an earlier time. There’s great space, even some ingeniousness to the seat. They’ve enhanced the soft product over the past three years. But at its core is a large first class cabin (too large for modern economcis) with a seat that’s been left behind…
A Great Rental Car Mileage Deal, and Airline Fee Increase for the Holidays
News and notes from around the interweb: Interesting article on American Airlines’ strategy in Asia 3000 Virgin Atlantic miles per 3 day Hertz rental. Book by November 17 and complete your rental(s) by November 30. Here’s what you can do with Virgin Atlantic miles. 10,000 or 20,000 easy Qantas miles “Winter is Coming” at Spirit — the airline will charge even higher fees over Christmas and New Years Here’s the best worst thing that can happen to you on vacation. How not to carry your neck pillow through the airport Passed along without comment. Apparently from London’s Luton airport. You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. You…
How to Protect Yourself from Ebola: the Dulles Passenger in a Homemade Hazmat Suit Goes Viral
Dulles Passenger in Homemade Hazmat Suit Goes Viral (Get it? ‘Viral’) A photo of a traveler in a homemade “hazmat” suit at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., is making the internet rounds as hundreds of real suits are selling out online. The female passenger was spotted sitting down in an airline terminal and dressed in what appeared to be a full-length white onesie, topped with a blue rain poncho, blue latex gloves and a white face mask. This doesn’t actually seem all that strange to me. Maybe I’ve just flown enough in Asia where it’s common to see a decent percentage of passengers wearing surgical masks. Maybe we don’t need an ebola travel ban. We just need to to practice safe travel. Which strangely reminds me of the old Capitol Steps tune, “Little Doc…
How Reliable is the ‘Trick’ to Get Qantas First Class Award Availability?
Searching for Qantas first class award availability between the US and Australia is about the only time where it really is the case that you need to grab the space as soon as a flight is loaded into the reservation system. The problem is that Qantas loads their inventory ~ 3 weeks before American AAdvantage lets you have access to it. (American won’t access schedules more than 331 days out.) So Qantas members — and indeed British Airways and Cathay Pacific members, for instance — can book these award seats that are made available, while American’s members just have to wait and hope. It used to be the case that Alaska Airlines miles could be used when a partner loaded seats, even if Alaska’s own schedules hadn’t been loaded yet. So say 350 days out…
Why Is International First Class Disappearing?
The Inside Flyer blog pegs the demise of international first class flights on corporate travel policies, noting that American’s refurbished 777-200 aircraft get a new business class and remove first class. The thing is, though, while first class has been on the wane overall, it hasn’t happened evenly or across the board. Indeed, some airlines are even growing their first class offerings and improving their products. Middle East mega-carriers Emirates and Etihad are expanding their fleets, routes, and first class offerings. Etihad is even introducing the most over the top first class in history. While some European carriers have been pulling back but still offer significant first class products. First class remains prevalent among certain carriers in Asia. Delta, Continental, and US Airways stopped offering international first class long ago. United and American continued to…
Diving Into the Lesser-Known Gems: Here are the 5 Best Rewards Cards from Bank of America
I receive compensation for many links on this blog. You don’t have to use these links, but I am grateful to you if you do. American Express, Citibank, Chase, and other banks are advertising partners of this site. I do not write about all credit cards that are available — instead focusing on miles, points, and cash back (and currencies that can be converted into the same). Earlier in the month I laid out my argument for the 5 best all-around rewards credit cards. But there are different cards which meet each of the (3) main reasons to carry a card: Those you get just for the signup bonus, but you may not want to keep spending on the card after you’ve earned the bonus. Those you get for the benefit of having the card,…
