The San Francisco Centurion Lounge Is To Double In Size (Almost)
The American Express Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport is one of only nine Centurion lounges that are currently open but, following an agreement that Amex has reached with the airport, it won't be a lounge that many frequent visitors will recognize in the not too distant future. The lounge is getting bigger. A lot bigger.
American Airlines introduces new Wi-Fi subscription plans
American Airlines has finally decided to do something about the fact that its fleet has three different Wi-Fi suppliers but there has never been a single plan to cover access to all three networks. As of yesterday, the airline is now offering a choice of two monthly plans that give users access to Wi-Fi on all American Airlines aircraft regardless of who the Wi-Fi supplier is.
American Airlines Is Eliminating More Award Fees & Extending Mileage Expiration Dates
American Airlines has just announced some good, positive changes to its AAdvantage program which will come into effect from tomorrow, 11 November 2020. Two fees are being eliminated and mileage expirations are being extended so, although for most people this year will almost certainly be remembered for the terrible toll that Covid-19 has taken, a small crumb of comfort may be that it's also the year that has seen airlines roll back a swathe of fees that most of us have resented for years.
Is This More Bad News Regarding The Qatar Airways Unbundled Business Class Fares?
As I noted yesterday, Qatar Airways has revamped its fare codes and, in the process, has introduced an unbundled Business Class fare that offers customers less than what most Business Class fares offer. The Qatar Airways website has now been updated to show the new fare options (on most routes) and in researching the latest changes, I noticed something that I wasn't expecting to see.
Virgin Atlantic Will Operate Just 14 Routes During England’s Lockdown
Virgin Atlantic has now published its flight schedules for the rest of November as the airline responds to the month-long lockdown that the British Government has imposed on England. With at most 14 routes operating between now and 2 December, Virgin Atlantic's schedule has been pared to the bone.
Breaking: First Coronavirus Vaccine Appears To Be 90% Effective
In news that's only just breaking, biotech developers Pfizer and BioNTech say that they have developed a coronavirus vaccine that was found to be more than 90% effective in preventing Covid-19 in research participants.
Bad News: Qatar Airways Is Set To Offer Unbundled Business Class Fares
Back in June 2019, Emirates dropped the bombshell that it would start to offer a 'Basic' Business Class fare that stripped out a number of benefits that we have all come to expect from a Business Class ticket and, earlier this year Finnair announced that it planned to introduce a 'Business Light' fare on select routes. To most readers, those announcements weren't especially bad news, but they were a clear indication of a direction the airline industry is taking. Today's news, however, could be more serious.
Warning: British Airways Cancellation Notices Can Be Misleading
British Airways will start suspending at least 46 routes starting from tomorrow so, in the next few days, a lot of people will be receiving messages that inform them that their flights have been canceled or that they have been rebooked on to other flights. If you receive one of these notifications, please be careful as their contents do not fully inform you of your rights.
British Airways Is Suspending These 46 Routes Starting Tomorrow
Yesterday, a letter sent out by Mark Muren, BA’s head of global sales, gave a very strong indication that the airline was about to start canceling a significant number of its routes following England's descent into its second lockdown of the year. Now, courtesy of a document shared with another blog, we know that at least 46 routes will be suspended during the coming month with a number of suspensions kicking in as of tomorrow.
Warning: Get Ready For A Stream Of British Airways Flight Cancellations
England went into lockdown for the second time today and with all outbound travel being discouraged and with airlines already at the mercy of England's ever-changing quarantine rules, this is a body-blow to the likes of Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. So far, there hasn't been too much evidence of deep route cuts from the UK's primary long-haul carriers but, based on a letter just sent out by BA's head of global sales, a significant number of cancellations appears to be on the way.
My experience applying for & using the World of Hyatt credit card
Towards the beginning of October I mentioned that I was planning to apply for three new credit cards in the coming months so, now that my first application is out of the way, I thought I'd write a post on how the application process went and on the timeline I encountered when it came to being able to make use of the various benefits that the World of Hyatt credit card offers.
Virgin Atlantic Announces A New Caribbean Route
Virgin Atlantic may still be fighting for its very existence (alongside a host of other airlines) but that hasn't stopped it from announcing a new route between the UK and the Caribbean that, all being well, it plans to launch next summer.
We’re About To Get Locked Down For The Second Time
Today and tomorrow (and possibly for a few days after tomorrow), a large part of the world will be concentrating on events going on back home in the US. I, however, can't help but focus on the fact that from 00:00:01 this Thursday morning, England will be entering into its second lockdown of the year. As I happen to be sheltering in England right now, that's a prospect that I'm not looking forward to.
Chase is changing the timeframe for earning a free night with the World of Hyatt credit card
As well as giving cardholders a certificate for a free night at any Category 1 - 4 Hyatt property every year (just for holding the card), the World of Hyatt credit card also gives cardholders the opportunity to earn a further free night certificate through spending. Starting next year, Chase is changing the timeframe cardholders are given to earn that second free night. The change isn't bad or majorly significant, but it's a change that for one year only, opens up an opportunity.
The Los Angeles Centurion Lounge Is Reopening Today (But Not As You May Expect)
American Express has just let me know that the Centurion Lounge at LAX (in the Tom Bradley International Terminal) will be reopening its doors today. Unlike a lot of other Centurion Lounge reopenings, however, the LAX Centurion Lounge's reopening will be far from normal.
Will IHG Now Charge 100,000 Points/Night For Select Basic Rooms?
IHG has now added 400 Mr & Mrs Smith properties to its booking engine and as of late yesterday, most of these properties are now available for cash or award bookings. Since these properties were added, I've been searching the IHG site to see if I could find any particular sweet spots or great-value award redemptions and while I haven't noticed any notable good deals, I have noticed a point of concern.
Delta Devalues SkyMiles Again – Partner Award Costs Increase Significantly
It's not like Delta isn't known for devaluing its currency as frequently as possible, but at a time when the airline industry claims to be on its knees and very few people are flying out of choice, Delta's decision to quietly increase the cost of partner awards by 25% (and more) is very hard to understand.
American Airlines Rolls Back A Negative Program Change For Select Oneworld Elites
At the beginning of this month, American Airlines quietly removed a valuable benefit that had made available to all oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elites. There was no notice given for this move nor was any announcement made, but now it looks like American has had a change of heart...at least in part.
Avianca LifeMiles Offering 2021 Elite Status Credits In 2020
For most readers, Avianca is an airline whose primary purpose is one of an airline whose loyalty program offers a currency that can be used to book Star Alliance premium cabin awards at a reasonable cost. However, just in case you happen to be looking to earn status in Avianca's LifeMiles program, the latest news being emailed out to members may be of interest.
British Airways Brings Back Hot Meals On Long Haul & Ends Partnership With M&S
As of 25 October, British Airways is once again serving hot meals across all cabins on select long-haul flights and, according to one UK newspaper, the airline has decided to sever its relationship with Marks & Spencer and enter into an agreement with "another great British brand" who will supply the airline's buy-on-board Economy Class menus.
I’m Taking A Break
The last time I set foot in an airport or an aircraft was over 7 months ago and, by quite a margin, this has been the longest period of time in which I haven't traveled in almost 20 years. With the world in the state that it's in right now, I'm still not ready to travel abroad for fun or for the blog, but I definitely need a break from work and my daily routine so it's time for a staycation of sorts.
The UK Government Rules Out Airport Testing As A Way To Avoid Quarantine
The UK currently imposes a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine on anyone arriving into the country from somewhere that isn't on its list of low-risk locations and, for the past few months, various travel industry leaders have been lobbying the government to offer alternatives to quarantine. The principal suggestion for an alternative has revolved around the government testing arriving passengers for Covid-19 and then allowing those who test negative to bypass self-isolation but, as of earlier today, that course of action has been firmly ruled out.
Qatar Airways Now Offers A Range Of Gourmet Vegan Dishes In Business Class
Qatar Airways has announced that it has introduced its first range of "gourmet" and "fully vegan" dishes to is Business Class à la carte menus. The new dishes are being offered across all Qatar Airways flights out of Doha and on select flights arriving into Doha.
Is This The End Of The Etihad A380?
The Etihad Airbus A380 is home to the most opulent way of traveling on a commercial airliner (The Residence), one of the world's best First Class seats (the Etihad First Class Suite) and it's only one of two commercial aircraft to offer an onboard shower. Sadly, if you were hoping to try out any of these indulgences you won't be doing so any time soon.
Emirates Plans To Ramp Up A380 Service For Summer 2021 (Tentative)
For the upcoming Northern Hemisphere winter, Emirates has only been able to justify scheduling its Airbus A380s on 7 of its routes, and for an airline with well over a hundred such aircraft in its fleet, that's an issue. Now, in the latest update to its Summer 2021 schedule, Emirates is looking a bit more optimistic as it prepares to increase the number of routes on which it plans to operate the world's largest passenger aircraft.
Alaska Airlines Will Join Oneworld On 31 March 2021
Originally it was meant to happen by the end of this year, but when Alaska Airlines realized just how complicated joining a global airline alliance can be, the date for it to join oneworld was pushed back to "not before the end of the first quarter" of 2021. Well, as vague deadlines go, that one turned out to be remarkably accurate because Alaska Airlines has now announced that it will join the oneworld alliance on 31 March 2020.
Big News: Alex Cruz Replaced As British Airways CEO
International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, has announced that Alex Cruz is stepping down as CEO of the UK's flag carrier and, following a transition period, will be relinquishing his role as chairman too. All of this comes towards the end of a year which has seen the airline industry brought to its knees by Covid-19 and thousands of employees losing their jobs at British Airways.
American Airlines Announces Its Switch To Beijing Daxing Airport
Before the current travel crisis, all American Airlines services between the US and Beijing used Bejing Capital Airport (PEK). All of American's passenger services to China are currently suspended but the airline has just announced that when it resumes operations between Dallas Fort Worth and Beijing, it's aircraft will be landing and taking off from the Chinese Capital's newest airport - Daxing International Airport (PKX).
American Airlines Temporarily Reduces Frequencies & Removes First Class Between LAX & JFK
If you were hoping to fly American Airlines First Class between LA and New York in November you're out of luck. If you were hoping to have a good choice of flights to choose from on this route in November you're going to be disappointed. If, however, you're flying between LA and New York in Business or Economy Class in the month of November, you may actually like what comes next.
Qatar Airways Confirms That It Will Bring Its Qsuite To San Francisco
Qatar Airways currently operates eight routes between Doha and the United States and from the end of the year, the airline will add a ninth - San Francisco. The West coast gateway has been part of Qatar Airways' plans in the past (back in 2018) but the planned service never materialized. This time around, however, there's a lot more reason to expect the new route to go ahead.
Amazing. Marriott Just Lost 122 Properties In North America (Including a Major Hawaii Resort)
Service Properties Trust, a company that owns over a hundred properties that are currently operating under various Marriott brands, has announced that it is terminating all of its agreements with Marriott effective 31 January 2021. There doesn't look to be any going back so from 1 February next year, Marriott's North America portfolio will have noticeably fewer properties in it than it did the day before.
The Last British Airways Heathrow 747s Will Depart Tomorrow (Flypast Arranged)
Well that was quick! In the middle of July, British Airways announced that it would be retiring all of its Boeing 747s, in the middle of August the retirements began, and now we're being told that the last two British Airways 747 based at London Heathrow will depart tomorrow morning.
American Express Centurion Lounge At JFK Will Open “In The Coming Days”
American Express has today announced that it will open its 13th Centurion Lounge at New York JFK Airport Terminal 4 "in the "coming days". While that's hardly a precise way of letting us know when the lounge will open its doors, it's probably safe to say that the lounge will be open by the end of the week.
United Airlines Brings Back Non-Stop Service To Shanghai
For most of this year, only a limited number of flights have been permitted between the United States and China with United Airlines and Delta being the only US carriers offering services to Shanghai. Up recently, both airlines have been serving Shanghai via Seoul but with Delta planning non-stop service to Shanghai during the upcoming winter season, United Airlines has now announced that it too will be resuming non-stop service to Shanghai from later this month.
United Airlines Announces Significant Route Resumptions & Expansions
United Airlines has just announced that it will be resuming service on "nearly 30 international routes" across Asia, Europe, and South America as well as offering customers expanded services to destinations in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Central America, and Mexico.
American Airlines Removes A Valuable Benefit For Oneworld Elites
American Airlines has made some good customer-friendly moves of late and it has been great at telling everyone about them via social media, press releases, and email blasts. What the airline has been less good at doing is letting flyers know when it makes a negative change and at some point in the last few days, the airline has eliminated a key benefit it has been offering to select oneworld elites.
Hilton’s Has Updated Its Flexible Cancellation Policy – It’s Not Good News
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Alaska Airlines Will Add Another Five New SoCal Routes This Winter
Alaska Airlines is continuing to build on its new friendship with American Airlines by adding a number of routes out of Los Angeles and Palm Springs as well as increasing the frequencies on a further three routes that it already operates out of LAX. Coming on top of the airline's previously announced expansion at LAX, this is another big bit of positive news for travelers based in Southern California.
Emirates Will Offer Its A380 On Just Seven Routes This Winter
Emirates operates the largest fleet of Airbus A380 aircraft in the world and it's safe to say that without the investment Emirates put into the A380 program, the aircraft would have gone out of production a lot earlier than this year. Still, even a behemoth like Emirates isn't immune to the current travel crisis and few things highlight that fact better than the airline's plans for the Winter 2020/21 season which will see it operating its A380 on just seven international routes.
Chase Sapphire Spending Bonuses & Statement Credits Ending – 3 Days Left
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred credit cards have been offering special benefits and enhanced earnings in select shopping categories since the beginning of July, but with the end of September rapidly approaching, cardholders have just days left to make the most of what these cards currently offer.
United Airlines New Hawaii Routes Now Open For Reservations
A little under three weeks ago, United announced a number of new international routes to Africa and India as well as two new domestic routes that the airline said would “make it easier than ever to travel nonstop to Maui and Kona for the 2021 summer season”. Following a weekend schedule update, the new Hawaii routes are now in the systems and United.com is taking reservations.
Delta Is Already Scaling Back Transatlantic Plans For Winter Season
It was less than four weeks ago that Delta first unveiled its transatlantic plans for the upcoming winter season (and for summer 2020) and, at the time, I pointed out that the proposed plans looked ambitious in the light of what was going on around us. Delta has now posted a long list of updates to its worldwide schedules for winter 2020/21 and it looks like the airline has come to the same conclusion that I did as it cuts routes and frequencies proposed just 4 weeks ago.
Delta Eliminates Change Fees On Most Domestic Award Bookings
Delta Platinum and Medallion members have long been able to change award bookings without incurring a penalty but now, with immediate effect, everyone else can feel a little bit more like an elite flyer with Delta after the airline announced that change fees on domestic award bookings are now (mostly) a thing of the past.
Emirates Cuts Capacity And Delays Restarts On Routes To The United States
As I seem to keep saying, if you think that we're anywhere the end of this current crisis you just have to look at the various plans the airlines are making to see that we're not even close. We're seeing a lot of airlines eliminating routes and cutting capacity on routes seemingly every time a new set of schedule changes is released, and the latest airline to post less than optimistic schedules is Emirates.
KLM Cuts Service To 3 US Cities & Reduces Capacity To Others
In the last 24 hours, KLM has updated its schedules for winter 2020/21 and when you compare the services the airline plans to offer to the services offered pre-Covid, it doesn't make for pretty reading. Three US cities are set to lose service altogether, while even major partner hubs like Atlanta will be seeing reduced capacity.
The “New” British Airways First Class Seat Is Nothing To Get Excited About
It all started yesterday when an over-eager British Airways employee put out a tweet (now deleted) that let the world know that British Airways would be offering a new First Class option in the not too distant future. Earlier today, British Airways emailed staff to let them know that a "modified First seat experience" is on the way (this has been widely leaked already) but the reality behind the news is far less exciting than most had probably hoped.
EL AL Set To Resume New York Service In October
As with all of the world's airlines, EL AL has effectively been on hiatus for most of the year so far but unlike a lot of its competitors, EL AL is yet to resume passenger services on its international routes. From October, however, that's set to change with the airline scheduling a return to New York JFK as well as to three other international destinations.
British Airways Responds To Virgin Atlantic: Adds New Route To Pakistan & Accelerates Another
At the beginning of September, Virgin Atlantic announced that it would be launching three new routes to Pakistan from later this year as the airline looks to move away (at least temporarily) from its heavy reliance on transatlantic traffic. Now, less than two weeks after Virgin Atlantic's announcement, British Airways has responded and it's not good news for the smaller carrier.
Earn 3x AAdvantage Miles with World of Hyatt [Targeted]
The World of Hyatt is currently sending out emails to targeted members with an offer of three AAdvantage Miles per dollar on all Hyatt stays through the end of the year. Considering this offer will stack (very nicely) with the upcoming promotion in which WoH members can earn up to four times the usual number of base points, this is an incredibly generous offer to receive.
Review: Conrad London St James (Covid Edition)
The Conrad London St James is arguably Hilton's best property in London, but it's a property I had never visited until recently as I usually prefer to make the most of the fantastic weekend deals that are often on offer at the London Marriott Canary Wharf. On this occasion, Joanna and I were looking for a change of scenery and with the Conrad selling award nights at a very reasonable price, it was easy to decide to see what the property has to offer.
Global Entry, SENTRI & NEXUS fees may be about to increase
Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS are programs offered by the United States Customs & Border Protection Bureau (CBP) which offer expedited immigration procedures to travelers considered low-risk by the US authorities. The fees for these programs haven't changed in years but a new filing by the CBP suggests that the bureau will be seeking to increase the fees charged by two of the three programs while the fee charged for the third will decrease slightly.
Alaska Airlines’ Admission To Oneworld Delayed (Good News For Some?)
When the news that Alaska Airlines was planning to join the oneworld alliance broke last February, it was news that very few people had expected to hear. The airline followed up that surprise with another one when, earlier this summer, it suggested that its membership of the oneworld alliance may be complete before the end of this year. Sadly, that's a target that the airline no longer expects to meet.
JetBlue Announces 24 New Routes (Includes Latin America & The Caribbean)
JetBlue has announced that it plans to add 24 new routes to its network from later this year with a view to concentrating on leisure destinations served from the airline's focus cities around the United States. With multiple new flights to cities across the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean, this is the airline's attempt at shoring up its finances while, business travel continues to show little sign of recovery.
United Airlines Already Forced To Improve Its “No Change Fees” Policy
United Airlines was the first of the major US airlines to announce that it would be eliminating change fees for most fares booked for travel within the United States, to/from Puerto Rico and to/from the US Virgin Islands but Delta and American Airlines quickly followed with their own announcements and, in American's case, its announcement went further than United's and now United has been forced to play catch-up.
American Airlines Adds Japan Airlines To Its Business Extra Program
The American Airlines Business Extra program has just added Japan Airlines its first new partner in quite a few years. Program members can earn and burn Business Extra Points on Japan Airlines flights with immediate effect although, with transpacific travel not exactly blossoming right now, it may not be until next year until the full benefits of this partnership can be reaped.
United Airlines Announces Seven New Non-Stop Routes (International & Domestic)
Yesterday, United Airlines used social media to run a teaser trying to get customers (and potential customers) to guess what new routes the airline was set to announce today. If you didn't see that teaser or if you failed to guess the new routes, this latest announcement will tell you all you need to know - United Airlines will be flying five new international routes to Africa and India, as well as offering two new routes to Hawaii.
What Are Your Rights If An Airline Cancels Your Flight (Covid-19 Edition)
This post aims to inform readers with bookings to/from/within the United States and/or the European Union (and select associated nations) what their rights are when an airline cancels their flight(s) in the era of Covid-19.
Marriott’s Secret Website Will Tell You What Services Its Hotels Are Offering During The Pandemic
Marriott has built a website that is designed to show travelers what services and amenities its properties are offering during the current crisis. The site isn't yet official and its contents are not yet complete, but with in-house offerings varying wildly from property to property (even for properties in the same town or city), this can still be an invaluable resource for anyone trying to decide what Marriott to book for their next trip.
Owed A Qantas Refund? The Airline Is Now Offering Incentives To Passengers Accepting Credits
One of the bigger consumer stories that has emerged during this pandemic is the story of tens of thousands of travelers struggling to get their canceled trips refunded by airlines all over the world. Qantas is one of the airlines that has been less than stellar when it comes to returning customer funds and now the airline is offering customers incentives if they choose to accept a credit for future travel over the cash they're owed.
I’m Taking A Cautious Approach To The Ritz-Carlton Card’s $300 Credit
The Ritz-Carlton credit card that's issued by Chase offers an annual $300 credit for incidental spending with airlines but with most people either not able to travel or not interested in travel, Chase has extended the credit to cover grocery spending and dining expenditure too.
Virgin Atlantic Will Offer Its New Business Class To Barbados
For the Northern Hemisphere Winter Season, Virgin Atlantic has scheduled one of its new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to operate its route between London and Barbados. This means that customers flying in the airlines Upper Class cabin will be treated to Virgin Atlantic's best Business Class seats.
Is The Briggs & Riley “Simple As That Lifetime Guarantee” As Good As Is Claimed?
I've been a big fan of Briggs & Riley for a number of years. I like quite a few of the ranges the luggage maker offers and I love the idea behind the lifetime guarantee that Briggs & Riley says it operates, but I've never had the need to rely on the integrity of the warranty that helps Briggs & Riley stand out from the pack. That has just changed.
American Airlines Plans To Restart Flights To Australia This Year
Qantas says it doesn't plan on restarting services to the United States before July 2021 and Australia is still a country that's off-limits to most of the world, but that's not enough to discourage American Airlines. Starting later this year American Airlines plans to resume service between Los Angeles and Sydney and it plans to offer four flights per week.
[Updated] Virgin Atlantic Plans Three Routes To Pakistan From December 2020
Virgin Atlantic has today announced that it plans to offer three new services between the United Kingdom and Pakistan from December 2020. To some, this may seem like an odd path for Virgin Atlantic to choose, but the fact is that what we're witnessing is an airline coming to terms with a very key weakness and looking for ways to mitigate the risks that weakness brings.
United Airlines Will Operate 40% Of Its October Schedule Next Month
United Airlines has just announced its planned schedules for September and October and the airline has confirmed that when its routes are taken as a whole (i.e. international + domestic routes together), it is expecting to operate 34% of its full schedule in September and 40% of its full schedule in October. These figures are in comparison to the routes operated in the same months last year.
Delta’s Misleading Cancellation Email Really, Really Annoyed Me
Just as I was arriving home last night, I heard the iPhone in my pocket "ping" in the way it always does when a new email drops into my inbox and, upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an email from Delta letting me know that my December trip home to Los Angeles had been cancelled. Considering the state of flux that the airline schedules are currently in, the cancellation of my flight wasn't a huge surprise so I wasn't overly disappointed, but the wording Delta used in its email really, really annoyed me.
Hawaiian Airlines Is The Latest US Carrier To Eliminate Change Fees
One of life's rules has always been that when an airline pushes through a change that's negative for customers all of its competitors rush to follow suit. Rarely have airlines rushed to copy a change that's positive for customers, and yet here we have the fifth US airline in a week announcing that it is eliminating most change fees for is customers. This has been a good week for flyers.
American Express Gold Cards Are Offering Improved Targeted Welcome Offers
I'm always checking to see if American Express has targeted me for any special welcome offers or special deals to upgrade (it's how I got a 150,000 point bonus when I upgraded to the Hilton Honors Surpass credit card) and, as things stand, there appear to be improved offers available on the American Express Gold Card and the Business Gold Card for anyone fortunate enough to have been targeted.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer/PPS Club Makes Retaining Status Easier
A few months ago, Singapore Airlines announced that it was offering 1-year elite status extensions to all its KrisFlyer and PPS Club elites whose membership year ends between March 2020 and February 2021. Now the airline has gone further and announced that it is bringing in a measure to help its elites retain their status for a further year.
Now Alaska Airlines Eliminates Change Fees Permanently (Is There A Hidden Bonus?)
Well, this has certainly been a good start to the week for US flyers. First, we have United Airlines announcing that it would eliminate most domestic change fees, then Delta followed suit, and American Airlines rounded off the news from the "Big 3" by improving upon United's change fee announcement and improving its Basic Economy fares too. Now Alaska Airlines has joined in by confirming that has eliminated all change fees on most domestic and international bookings.
American Airlines Improves Basic Economy & Eliminates Select Change Fees
United Airlines may have started the ball rolling by being the first of the major US airlines to eliminate change fees on domestic itineraries, but American Airlines has now taken the ball further by eliminating change fees on more routes than United or Delta and by making some significant improvements to its Basic Economy fares.
Warning: IHG & Marriott Flexible Cancellation Policies Are Ending
IHG and Marriott are the first major hotel chains to confirm that they're ending their flexible cancellation policies which have been available on all bookings since the beginning of the current crisis. At the time of writing, Hilton, Hyatt, and Radisson have not yet followed suit, but with their current policies expiring at the same time as the Marriott and IHG policies expire, there's scope for these three chains to go down the same path.
Delta Follows United’s Lead & Eliminates Domestic Change Fees
United Airlines caught a lot of people off guard when it announced that it would be eliminating most change fees for domestic itineraries with immediate effect and, not all that surprisingly, Delta has followed suit and confirmed that it has also eliminated most domestic change fees with immediate effect.
United Airlines Is Eliminating Select Change Fees Permanently
With the travel industry in a state of crisis, airlines are being forced to try and find new ways to persuade travelers to choose them over their competitors. So far we've mainly seen airlines playing the "who's aircraft are cleanest" game with airlines sometimes appearing to claim that they've found a new and better way to sterilize an aircraft every week. Now, however, we've seen United Airlines fire the first new salvo for a while - the airline claims it's elimination change fees permanently.
Intercontinental Travel Isn’t Going To Get Easier Any Time Soon
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American Airlines Schedules New Shanghai Service From Seattle
Back in July, American Airlines announced plans to move the service it operated between Los Angeles and Shanghai to Seattle and, subject to government approval, that's what American Airways has done. The route is now in the schedules and is open for reservations.
Incredible: IHG Is Set To Lose Over 100 Properties In North America
The next time you're searching IHG.com for accommodation in North America you may find that a number of properties you've been used to seeing in the past are no longer there. This isn't a glitch or a temporary system error, it's because IHG has just lost over 100 of it's North American properties to a considerably smaller operator.
Delta’s Transpacific Plans For Winter 2020/21 and Summer 2021
Delta has announced that it plans to significantly increase the number of flights it offers across the Atlantic and across the Pacific in the coming winter and summer seasons. The airline says that the peak will come in the summer 2021 season when it will be operating over 50 more transoceanic flights than it had in the summer 2020 schedule.
Check Your Reservations – Some Hotels Aren’t Very Good At Communicating Cancellations
If you have a reservation for a hotel that is supposed to be reopening in the weeks before you're due to arrive, I suggest you double-check the property's latest information online and make sure that all is still going according to plan. Based on my experience, some hotels are not very good at informing guests that their reservations can no longer be honored in a timely way.
Hyatt Resorts Introduce “Work From Hyatt” Packages
As hotels continue to struggle to get their occupancy levels moving in the right direction, we're starting to see the more forward-thinking properties and chains adapting to the "new normal" by introducing plans and packages to suit the current environment. Hyatt's latest idea is to offer the "Work From Hyatt" package which aims to allow individuals, couples, and families to combine work and relaxation all in once place and away from the confines of home.
Virgin Atlantic Will Only Be Flying To Five US Destinations By October
Virgin Atlantic has been fighting for survival for most of the summer and it's only recently that the airline has been back in the skies and flying back and forth across the Atlantic. A recent schedule update published by the airline confirmed that, for September/October 2020, it will offer customers flights to just five US destinations.
Wow! Virgin Atlantic’s Companion Voucher Can Now Be Used Alongside Cash Fares
Virgin Atlantic took time out yesterday to announce some very positive changes to how its companion voucher will now work but amidst the excitement of all the good news we were being fed at the time, one very important change to how the Virgin Atlantic companion voucher now works doesn't appear to have been given the publicity it deserves - the companion voucher can now be used in conjunction with a cash fare.
Virgin Atlantic Announces Some Seriously Good News For Flying Club Members
If you're a fan of Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program you're probably going to be very pleased with the news the airline released earlier today. Elite statuses have been extended, voucher expirations have been extended, vouchers have been made considerably easier to use and the path to elite status has just been made easier by a change that no other airline has thought to introduce.
Gatwick’s CEO Wants An Unworkable Quarantine Plan For The UK
Over recent weeks the UK government has shown itself to be capable of introducing quarantine measures on arrivals into the country with little to no notice and, in a recent press conference, Gatwick’s CEO suggested that the government was taking the wrong approach to its quarantine restrictions and put forward a suggestion of his own. Unfortunately for him, it doesn't take a genius to see that his plan is wholly unworkable.
Delta & United Airlines Add More Flights To Shanghai
Delta and United currently operate two weekly flights each between the United States and Shanghai with both airlines routing their operations through Seoul Incheon Airport. An agreement announced yesterday between the United States and China to increase the number of flights between the two counties from four to eight will now see both carriers doubling the number of flights they offer to Shanghai.
Confirmed: Chase Ritz-Carlton Card’s Travel Credit Can be Used On Groceries & Dining
The Ritz-Carlton credit card from Chase comes with a $300 travel credit that, under normal conditions, can only be used to offset incidental travel costs like seat selection fees, baggage fees, and lounge memberships (airfares, hotel costs and the like can not be reclaimed). Now, however, with the travel world still at a standstill, that travel credit has been expanded to include spending made at grocery stores and on dining.
British Airways Has Started To Retire Its 747 Fleet
In the middle of last month, British Airways announced that it planned to retire its 31 Boeing 747 aircraft with immediate effect and starting yesterday, the airline's 747s are now being shipped out to meet whatever fate awaits them.
Japan Airlines (JAL) Increases Services To The United States
Right now, Airlines are making alterations to their schedules on a daily basis as they attempt to adapt to the ever-changing entry rules that various counties have been introducing. Recent restrictions introduced by the likes of the UK, Vietnam, and Thailand have seen numerous flights to those countries cut from the schedules so it's nice to be able to report that JAL will be increasing services to the US from September.
How To Apply Marriott Suite Night Awards To A Reservation In 6 Simple Steps [Updated For 2021]
Marriott Bonvoy allows its members to choose 5 suite night awards as part of their benefits package when they earn 50 elite night credits in a year (the Annual Choice Benefits), and it allows members to choose a further 5 suite night awards as part of their benefits when they earn 75 elite nights in a year. That makes it pretty important to know how to apply these upgrades online.
How To Redeem An IHG Free Night Certificate In 6 Simple Steps [2020 Edition]
There are two IHG Rewards credit cards which offer cardholders a free night stay at any IHG property costing up to 40,000 points per night – the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card and IHG Rewards Club Select credit card (not open to new applicants) – and this is a quick step-by-step guide to redeeming the IHG free night certificate once it’s loaded to your account.
New Aeroplan Program Announced – Here Are The Key Headlines
Flyers have been waiting to hear the details of Air Canada's new Aeroplan program for months, but the waiting is now finally over as the airline outlined the headline features of the program earlier today. The new Aeroplan will launch on 8 November 2020 and the key headlines you need to know are in the post below.
Select Chase Ink cards now offering bonus points & cash back in new categories [limited Time & targeted]
Chase is emailing select holders of its Ink Business cards to announce that, for a limited time, their cards will now offer bonus points in two new spending categories. I've seen this bonus targeted to my Chase Ink Plus card (which is no longer open to new applicants) and to the Ink Business Cash card, but there's every chance that other Ink cards are being targeted too.
Qatar Airways Boosts Services To JFK & LAX And Returns To Two More US Cities
Back in June, Qatar Airways announced its return to four major US cities and, as of today, the gulf carrier now operates on six transatlantic routes to the United States. Starting tomorrow, 12 August, Qatar Airways will begin boosting frequencies on its existing US routes and, from September, the carrier will restart services to two more US cities.
British Airways Schedules Club Suite Service To Los Angeles (Finally!)
After months of waiting, Los Angeles-based oneworld flyers will soon no longer have to choose between a great Business Class seat combined with poor service (American Airlines) or a poor Business Class seat with pretty good service (BA) as British Airways has finally scheduled a Club Suite equipped aircraft to serve LAX from later this year.
Cathay Pacific Will Only Serve Three US Cities In September
Before the travel world came to grinding halt, Cathay Pacific offered flights between Hong Kong and eight US airports across 7 US cities but, in a further sign of how slowly travel is currently recovering, the carrier is only set to operate to three of those cities in September 2020.
Air France Is Now Replacing The A380s In Its Schedules
It has been over two months since Air France announced that its A380s wouldn't be taking to the skies again (at least not as a part of Air France's commercial operations) but it's only now that Air France has updated its schedules to show what aircraft it will be using on the routes that the A380 once operated.
RIP BA1 – British Airways Retires Its All-Business-Class A318
IAG, the parent company of British Airways, has published its latest quarterly results and alongside the news that the airline group made a loss of €1.3bn ($1.55bn) between April and June of this year, IAG announced that it was "exiting" the A318 fleet as part of its response to the current crisis and, with that, signaled the end of the all-business-class service that British Airways operated between London and New York.
British Airways Won’t Fly From London Gatwick Before November
If anyone you know needs a reminder that the current crisis is far from over, point them in the direction of an airline schedule. While some airlines are clearly doing their best to ramp up operations and restart routes (e.g. Qatar Airways), a lot of major airlines are still running vastly reduced services and are pushing back the dates for planned service resumptions.
Why The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card’s Club Level Upgrades Can Be Deceptively Bad
I've recently tried to use one of the major benefits of the Ritz-Carlton credit card and I quickly found myself counting my blessings that it wasn't one of the benefits I'm relying on to help me get real value out of the card. The experience turned out to be more than a little disappointing.
Lesson Learned: Don’t Mess With Chase!
The annual fee on my Chase Ink Business Plus credit card posted earlier this month and over the weekend I decided to see if I could get Chase to waive the annual fee or, at the very least, to give me a spending bonus to help offset the fee. Things didn't go according to plan.
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