In a setback to United’s new management team, led by Oscar Munoz, the airline’s mechanics today voted to reject the company’s “final offer” for a new wage and benefits package and to authorize a strike. United’s 9,000-plus mechanics are represented by the Teamsters union; an overwhelming 93 percent of those voting gave a thumbs-down to…
Uber’s policy on tipping is simple and clear: You don’t need cash when you ride with Uber. Once you arrive at your destination, your fare is automatically charged to your credit card on file – there’s no need to tip. And yet, and yet. I am a confirmed opponent of tipping, whether it’s waiters or…
How easy is it for disgruntled airline customers to file a complaint with the DOT? Not easy enough, according to Rep. Janice Hahn (D-Los Angeles). And she places the blame for that difficulty squarely on the shoulders of the airlines. Since 2012, U.S. airlines have been required to publish contact information for the DOT’s Customer…
Enter the AFAR Media “Glasgow Getaway” sweepstakes by March 14, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a trip for two to Glasgow, Scotland, including air, four nights’ hotel, airport transfers, tours, one dinner. To enter, provide the requested contact information (name, email, etc.) on the sweepstakes landing page and press “Submit.” Done!…
This week’s biggest stories and best deals: Unlimited Flying from $1,500 – Is It for You? If you can cram at least $1,500 worth of flying into a month, a OneGo all-you-can-fly plan might be for you. Congressman Introduces Bill to Halt the Coach-Class Seat Squeeze Tired of squeezing your ever-expanding frame into those ever-shrinking…
Could Spirit, the airline everybody loves to hate, become a bit less hateful? If the company’s new CEO has his way, it will do just that. This week, in his first public appearance since replacing former Spirit chief Ben Baldanza, Robert Fornaro outlined his priorities for the airline that has significantly lagged its peers in…
In a big win for Uber, the ride-sharing service today announced a new partnership with American, the world’s largest airline. “The companies will work together to provide customers faster service, better airport navigation, rider promotions and mileage promotions.” Uber already has marketing and operational links with other major travel suppliers, including InterContinental Hotels, Starwood, Hilton,…
Red Lobster and Inside Edition. Two names I never expected to utter in the same sentence. Or, actually, in any sentence. I’m a knee-jerk naysayer when it comes to chain restaurants. Given options, I’ll choose an independent operator every time. But several weeks ago, at the urging of my girlfriend, we had dinner at a…
With fuel prices at historic lows and profits at historic highs, the airlines have come under increasing pressure from the public, regulators, and the media to lower their airfares. Albeit belatedly, it appears they’ve begun doing just that. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which this week released its latest report, for the…
For the 1 percenters, whose dining-out budgets are boundless, choosing a restaurant often entails a perusal of one of the established price-is-no-object restaurant review guides. You know the ones: the Michelin Guide, Zagat, Gayot, La Liste. For the other 99 percent, there’s Yelp. And it’s no longer just the site’s individual restaurant reviews. For the…
Tired of squeezing your ever-expanding frame into those ever-shrinking coach-class seats? So is Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation. And he wants the government to do something about it. In his proposed legislation, the Safe Egress in Air Travel Act of 2016, or SEAT, Cohen…