Breaking news this morning — Starwood has accepted a bid of $78 cash per share by Chinese investor group Anbang, throwing a wrench into the Marriott – Starwood merger. How could this be? Wasn’t a contract with Marriott already signed?...
This Rule is Vital for Maximizing Your AA Award
A handful of clients have contacted Award Expert this week requesting help “maximizing” AA awards prior to the devaluation on March 22, 2016. I don’t mean the couples trying to get to Bangkok on Cathay Pacific or families booking...
American Tourism in Cuba is Now Legal
In a sweeping Executive Order ahead of his trip to Havana next week, U.S. President Barack Obama has essentially made tourism in Cuba legal for all Americans. And you thought Marco Rubio was shedding tears over losing Florida! Up until...
Two A380 First Class Flights for 40K AA Miles
AA is devaluing its award chart on March 22, 2016 but you’ve still got a week left to take advantage of the old chart. For 40K miles you can experience two of the world’s finest first class products on...
United Airlines Shuffles Board as Oscar Munoz Readies Return
Two news items from United Airlines. First, Oscar Munoz will be back soon. Second, three new independent members to the Board have been appointed. Is there a link? Munoz is already back in a decision-making capacity but will resume...
Singapore Will Resume Nonstop Flights to Los Angeles and Newark
Singapore Airlines has announced intentions to resume non-stop service from Singapore to New York City and Los Angeles with its newly-delivered Airbus A350 aircraft in 2018. Singapore Airlines spokesman James Bradbury-Boyd told View from the Wing: Missing the Singapore Airlines nonstop...
Airside Tunnel Between Tom Bradley International Terminal and T4 Now Open at LAX and Why it Matters
The plan to link all terminals airside at Los Angeles International Airport took a giant leap forward today as the connection between Terminal 4 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) opened. This is huge news for savvy frequent...
Take $40 Off Your $73+ Hotel Bill Instantly
MakeMyTrip, an Expedia-linked travel agency in India, is currently offering 2750 INR (~$40) off your hotel stay of 5000 INR (~$73) more. There is no minimum stay requirement, meaning this deal can be stacked quite nicely for a multi-night stay...
Delta Now Shows Only Four Award Booking Classes
Delta Air Lines removed award charts without notice last year, downplaying the need for them by insisting that delta.com would accurately price awards. That news foreshadowed more dynamic award pricing and an aggressive use of fare logic to price...
You Must Watch this SWISS Video
SWISS, like many things in Switzerland, has a reputation for precision and quality. The national carrier has come a long way from its Swissair bankruptcy days and epitomizes what it means to be a reputable company. How does it maintain...
United Airlines Defends DCA Perimeter Rule
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just minutes from downtown Washington DC, is subject to a perimeter rule that restricts all but a handful of flights beyond 1,250 miles. A push this week to extend the perimeter to 1,475 miles...
Unicorns, Four-Leaf Clovers, and Air New Zealand Business Class Award Space
After four years of absolutely no business class award space on its transpacific and transatlantic longhaul routes, Air New Zealand has suddenly decided to open business class award space to its Star Alliance partners. It is too early to...
How Does United’s New illy Coffee Taste?
United has partnered with illy to provide coffee in its worldwide network of airport lounges and eventually all flights. Great concept, great company, but how will it taste? I’m pleased to report that it tastes wonderful. I was on...
A Few Thoughts on the Park Hyatt New York
I had a quick business trip to Boston and New York over the weekend and ended up at the Park Hyatt New York on Sunday/Monday for what turned out to be a two-day, one-night stay. Here are three takeaways...
United Brings Back Early Boarding for Families with Children
Starting Monday, 15 February 2016 United Airlines will bring back aircraft pre-boarding for families with young children aged two and under. The new boarding priority will be: People with disabilities / active-duty members of the military in uniform / families...
United Airlines Announces San Francisco to Singapore Route on 787-9
United Airlines has announced plans to offer daily non-stop service from San Francisco to Singapore beginning 01 June 2016 on its 787-9 aircraft. The new route will be one of the world’s longest at 8,446 miles (second only to...
Alaska Airlines Brand Refresh
For the first time in a quarter century, Alaska Airlines is refreshing its brand image in a major way, with changes coming to everything from credit cards to aircraft livery. Why the change now? Isn’t one of Alaska’s best...
My Incredible Amtrak Guest Rewards Redemption
Amtrak is devaluing its Guest Rewards program tomorrow, so if you are sitting on any sizable quantity of Amtrak points and thinking about a long-distance journey in the next year, you need to call Guest Rewards at 1-800-307-5000 before midnight ET...
UberX Finally Available at LAX
After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations with recalcitrant regulators, UberX will finally be allowed to pick up passengers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) starting today, January 20, 2016, at 8am PT. Uber has suffered a string of setbacks in...
United Global Services and 1K Members Now Get Free Food in Economy Class
Rumors have been swirling over the last few days that United Airlines’ top-tier elite members would receive complimentary food in addition to complimentary alcoholic beverages when flying in economy class. I reached out to United for confirmation on Monday...
