I’m not a fan of flash sales. If a company discounts its product or otherwise adds value to a purchase, then it should allow sufficient time for the offer to be widely communicated, thoughtfully considered, and calmly acted on. “Snooze you lose” has always struck me as disrespectful and a bit nasty. Notwithstanding my grumbling,…
It wasn’t that long ago that Southwest’s self-proclaimed identity as the Love Airline was a credible bit of branding, reflecting a virtuous circle of contentment among the airline’s customers, employees, and shareholders. For now, however, the love fest appears to be over. Last week, the directors of the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association, which represents the…
Through October 31, members of the Club Carlson program can earn bonus points for stays at Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson Red, Park Plaza, Park Inn, and Country Inns & Suites hotels as follows: Double points for Sunday through Thursday check-ins Triple points for Friday or Saturday check-ins There’s a limit of 50,000 bonus…
American’s AAdvantage program was the first modern travel-loyalty program, and for most of the years since its launch in 1981 it was not only the largest but also arguably the best of the airline mileage programs. Although the program, along with American itself, had lost much of its luster in recent years, it benefited greatly…
Enter the United Airlines “Billion Mile Giveaway” sweepstakes by September 30, 2016, for a chance to win one of 100 grand prizes of 1 million United MileagePlus miles, plus $750 to cover taxes, each. Runner-up prizes include smaller numbers of miles. In total, 1 billion miles will be given away. Related: Win a 7-Day Virgin…
Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week. If it was a good deal—or a notably bad deal—from an airline, hotel, or car rental loyalty program, you can read all about it here, and plan your travel accordingly. Pilots Union Calls Out American…
When American Airlines merged with US Airways, American’s disgruntled unions were unanimous in their support for what amounted to a hostile takeover of the much-larger American by Doug Parker and his mid-sized US Airways. American’s union troubles haven’t been ameliorated by the merger and change in management. American’s pilots, in particular, have been unrelenting in…
Somebody had to be first. And when it comes to the relaunch of scheduled flights between the U.S. and Cuba, following the normalization of relations between the two countries after more than 50 years, it appears that JetBlue is set to snag those bragging rights. According to the airline’s news release, “It’s a new day…
In April, when the FAA removed restrictions on additional flights at Newark Liberty International Airport, the hope was that other airlines would increase their share of the airport’s flights, in the process eroding United’s dominance and near-monopoly pricing in that important market. As it turns out, those hopes were not in vain. Last week, Alaska…
Does it feel like 2010 all over again? As far as U.S. domestic airfares go, it is. Or so the government would have us believe. In its just-released Air Fare Data report, the DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics pegs the average domestic ticket price at $361 in the first quarter of 2016, down 7.8 percent…
Starwood’s systemwide “Triple Up” bonus-points offer ends on July 31, and to date there’s been no word of a successor campaign for late summer and early fall stays. What Starwood has announced, however, is a double-points promotion for stays at one of the company’s 11 brands, Tribute Portfolio. Offer Details Between August 1 and October…