It has been a rough week. Fires are scorching California and a deadly shooting killed 12. On a far lesser note, the travel news has also been predominantly negative. So let’s just take a quick pause from the bad...
United Airlines Flight Attendants Protest Staffing Cuts, Warn Of Poor Service Onboard
Flight attendants from United Airlines are resisting management efforts to reduce staffing on international flights. Earlier this week, I wrote about a memo to FAs from VP John Slater. Citing competitive pressures, he informed FAs that on certain international...
A United Airlines Trip Report From An American Airlines Executive
An American Airlines Executive VP just flew United Airlines…and offered her thoughts on Twitter. Elise Eberwein is AA’s Vice President of People, Communications, and Public Affairs. She was flying from Chicago to Salt Lake City yesterday on United 521, a...
Big Trouble For Thai Airways As Losses Double
After the latest fiscal quarter, Thai Airways has much more to wrestle with than unhappy pilots who delay flights when they are denied a first class seat. But it is all connected. Thai Airways just suffered a particularly bad...
Update On My Lufthansa EU261 Claim
Lufthansa finally contacted me concerning my extended flight delay in June. Unsurprisingly, the issue remains unresolved. If you missed out on the details of my issue with Lufthansa, I’ll briefly summarize: Itinerary: Milan – Frankfurt – Munich – Los...
What I Transferred To British Airways During American Express Transfer Bonus
Time is running out on a lucrative 40% transfer bonus from American Express Membership Rewards to British Airways Executive Club. If you have not yet moved over any points, check out my earlier post, which outlines why you may...
A European Loyalty Program Devalues Without Notice
The only thing worse than a devaluation is a devaluation without notice. SAS EuroBonus is guilty of both. Or, depending upon your perspective, the program may have suddenly become more valuable. SAS has a great new ad out concerning...
American Airlines Gold Status? No Thanks.
I have not flown a single flight on American Airlines this year. Nevertheless, I received an offer this week to buy up to Gold status for 2019. You might recall that I earned nearly enough AA miles last year...
Review: United Polaris Lounge Houston (IAH)
The United Polaris Lounge in Houston (IAH) offers a tremendous upgrade to international business class passengers versus the United Clubs. I spent two hours in the lounge but could have easily spent much longer. United calls this its “boutique”...
Competition For Lufthansa First Class Heats Up
If you read my blog regularly, you know that one of my favorite mileage redemptions is for Lufthansa First Class. It’s not that Lufthansa offers the best first class product in the world (though I love it). Rather, Lufthansa...
Man Sits In Dog Poop On Delta Flight, Flight Attendants Shrug, Gate Agent Threatens Him
Imagine you step onboard a Delta flight and smell something horrible. Really horrible. You assume it is coming from the lavatory or perhaps elsewhere on the plane. You’re seated in first class and find your seat. As you settle...
More United Polaris “Enhancements” On The Way
Starting in February, United will reduce the number of flight attendants on some international flights by one and start pre-plating meals in business class. In a leaked memo to flight attendants, VP John Slater defended this change and offered...
Why You Should ALWAYS Photograph Your Rental Car Before Pick-Up And Drop-Off
Always, I repeat always, take pictures of your rental car before driving it off and giving it back. I was in Holland earlier this week and so happy that I took my own advice, something I have made a...
A New Bailout For South African Airways Only Delays The Inevitable
The sun rose in the east and South African Airways obtained another government bailout, this time for $343 million. When will this madness stop? True, it’s not like the South African government had a lot of choice. It has...
If Only Air New Zealand Put As Much Thought Into Its Loyalty Program As Its Safety Videos…
Air New Zealand is out with a new safety video, this time featuring a cast of over 600 and centered around a catchy rap song. Less Controversial Than the Last… I’d say one benefit to this video is that...
United Airlines And The Mystery Bamboo Forest
I recently wrote about United’s new ad campaign, which represents a tapestry of instruments from around the world weaving together Rhapsody in Blue. But keen observers have fairly questioned whether United knows the difference between China and Japan. As...
Australian Veterans Angry At Virgin Australia For Priority Boarding
Australian war veterans are saying no thanks to a plan by Virgin Australia to recognize their service with priority boarding and special announcements onboard. The New York Times reports vets are embarrassed and ashamed of the new recognition: Critics,...
Amsterdam: Hyatt Regency vs. Andaz
Amsterdam is one of the loveliest cities of Europe and is filled with many great hotels. For Hyatt fans, which is the better choice, the Hyatt Regency or Andaz Prinsengracht? I’ll compare the hotels on the following five metrics:...
Horrific: Woman Claims She Was Raped in AA Lavatory, Then Berated By Crew
A woman is suing American Airlines, claiming she was raped in a lavatory then mocked by the crew. It is a sad story, considering AA allegedly served the already-intoxicated aggressor six additional alcoholic drinks in a very short timespan....
The Death of Airline Lounge “Memberships” Makes American Express Platinum More Attractive
With American, Delta, and United cracking down on how/when “members” can use their lounges, I question whether membership is even the correct term to describe what airlines now offer. Think about it. If you’re a member of a gym,...
