News and notes from around the interweb:
- Shortened names on the upgrade list never get old.
- Citi ThankYou Rewards is running a 50% bonus on transfers to Accor Live Limitless, April 14 – May 11, for Citi Prestige, Premier and AT&T Access More credit cardmembers. Instead of 1:0.5 this makes the ratio 1:0.75 during the promo period.
- I wonder if Amex data shows that a significant subset of cardholders will drive incremental spend for… 60 Membership Rewards points?
- Singapore Airlines to eliminate round the world awards May 1
- Dublin Airport apologises after security orders women remove artificial breast in public (HT: @crucker)
- Discussion of whether Hong Kong should take a stake in Cathay Pacific because somehow more government ownership would make the airline ‘better’. (HT: @crucker) Of course state-owned Air China has a 30% stake in Cathay Pacific already, and the airline received a multi-billion dollar cash infusion during the pandemic.
Some suggested the Hong Kong government should take a stake in the airline to ensure the city regains its aviation hub status, a vision laid down by Beijing’s 14th five-year national plan.
…“With the government as a shareholder, it will help Cathay secure many new international air routes and those in mainland China. It can also serve as a bridge providing through-train service between the West and the mainland,” he said. Tien said a government stake would also hold Cathay to greater accountability and scrutiny to ensure it improved its performance.
- American Airlines goes after Breeze in Provo, Utah.
RE: Upgrade list. Thomas Cunard remains my all-time favorite.
TUR, D requested compensation because the airline treated him like shit
Printed telephone directories listed names as “last name, first and middle initials”. One enterprising soul in my city was listed as “BIGOLDI, CK”! Local radio talk show hosts used to comment on it all the time.
I once had the upgrade list for United look like:
1. POO, J.
2. PEE, S.
I still giggle at that (even took a screenshot.
At least Tur, D is in a business class seat and not in the aisle as has been reported on other diverted airlines. I am not sure what the stink is about.
I remember being behind a COV, D. on a standby list flying during the height of COVID.
We need a late night talk show host to fund travel on the same flight by upgrade-eligible Kevin Fuchs, Tamara Shiva, and Thomas Cunningham.
I had a flight that I took weekly from SMF to SFO. TIT/S was always first on the upgrade list.
Singapore, Qatar and Emirates are just one of the few who have substantial government ownership.
That makes government participation a far better option than the disastrous US deregulation that brought us terrible service with skyrocketing fees and never ending boarding lines.
After all, governments do a pretty good job at bringing us running water, every day. Not perfect, but far better customer satisfaction than US airlines.