Since its unannounced implementation on a Friday evening last February—strategically timed to avoid public notice and minimize media scrutiny—Delta’s policy of not publishing award charts has been a source of consumer frustration and outrage. Delta’s rationale for its whatever-we-say-it-is award pricing was dismissive; there was none. SkyMiles members were simply assured that they could look…
What’s better than an Uber ride? A cheaper Uber ride, naturally! That’s Uber’s strategy to gin up extra business during the colder months, when ridership typically falls off. According to the company, “We’re cutting prices in more than 100 U.S. and Canadian cities, giving riders one more reason to head out of the house, ditch…
I should do this. I should do that. Yada-yada-yada. Blah, blah, blah. New Year’s resolutions? Not a fan. If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing. No need to link it to the changing of the year, or to anything beyond its intrinsic self-worth. This year, however, I’m making an exception to my exceptionalism. For the…
Looking to escape the wintry weather blighting much of the U.S.? Maybe it’s time to change hemispheres. In Sydney, Australia, today’s midday temperature will reach 89 degrees. Daytime temperatures generally average a comfy 79 degrees during January, and 78 degrees during February. Beats the ice and slush outside your window, right? And if the weather…
Enter the Budget Travel “Iceland” sweepstakes by February 19, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a trip for two to Iceland, including air, nine nights’ hotel, some meals, and local tours. RELATED: Win a 7-Night Trip for 2 to New Zealand To enter, provide the requested contact information (name, email, etc.) on…
For the third time, JetBlue is beginning the new year with a double-points offer. It was a pretty good deal in 2015, and it’s still a pretty good deal in 2016. Offer Details Through February 29, members of JetBlue‘s TrueBlue program can earn double elite-qualifying base points for all JetBlue flights. TrueBlue members normally earn…
OK, you’ve compared schedules, prices, and frequent-flyer bonuses. But do you know how the airlines you’re considering rate for safety? AirlineRatings.com, which bills itself as “the world’s only safety and product rating website,” knows, and has just published its latest lists of the 20 safest full-service airlines and the 10 safest low-cost airlines. To assess…
In what could be its final systemwide bonus offer before being merged with Marriott, Starwood’s “Take Two” promotion features double points, and in some cases a little something extra. Offer Details Between January 11 and April 10, members of Starwood’s Preferred Guest program can earn double points for stays of two or more nights at…
If United’s Economy Plus extra-legroom seating isn’t plus enough, United now offers Travel Options, two bundles of extra perks available on most flights that feature Economy Plus: Economy Plus Essentials – Economy Plus seating plus an extra checked bag Economy Plus Enhanced – Economy Plus seating plus an extra checked bag, Premier Access (priority check-in…
If the “airline everyone loves to hate” replaces its CEO, who is widely credited with nurturing that airline’s customer-unfriendly culture and policies, should flyers expect friendlier skies ahead? Maybe, but it’s complicated. The airline in question is, of course, Spirit. And in a move that took industry-watchers by surprise, Spirit yesterday announced that it had…
Beleaguered Malaysia Airlines, whose reputation and financial wellbeing have been undermined by two recent air disasters (the still-missing flight MH370, presumed crashed in the Indian Ocean, and flight MH17, shot down over the Ukraine) and a Christmas-day mishap in which an Auckland-departing plane deviated wildly from its prescribed flight path, is once again raising eyebrows…