American Airlines has slowly expanded the number of partners that are available for award bookings on its website without having to call reservations.
Cathay Pacific awards have now become available online (not sure why it took THIS long). Only China Southern and LATAM awards still require you to phone them in.
British Airways pilots have called off their next strike that was scheduled for September 27, 2019. It is unclear if this is an indication that the pilot union and BA would be closer to reach an agreement that would prevent further disruptions.
Pilots were striking for two days earlier this month that effectively grounded all but handful of BA flights ex-Heathrow and Gatwick. Roughly 1,700 flights were canceled.
Earlier this week we had a case where one of our readers experienced a very bad situation while missing his flight in Lufthansa First Class and several employees refused to rebook him to another flight citing internal regulations to only use award space (several days later).
We got in touch with Lufthansa and asked for clarification of the situation which they provided in order to shine light on similar situations should they occur.
British Airways has launched new promotion for Executive Club members to drive bookings whilst still having an unresolved dispute with its pilots.
Members can earn double Avios for up to ten flights between September 18 – June 30, 2020 that are booked after registering for this offer or by December 13.
Turkish Airlines has launched a new Miles&Smiles offer to celebrate the frequent flier program’s 30th anniversary.
Miles&Smiles members can earn double status miles when two passengers are traveling together and triple when three. You must fly on select routes between September 17 – October 31, 2019 and book September 17 – 30.
Marriott Bonvoy launched earlier this week its second ever points sale that is valid for purchases made through October 18, 2019 that had some ambiguity with the doubled purchase limit (doesn’t appears when making the purchase).
Members can save 30% on the points purchased or gifted. The maximum number of points that a member can purchase or gifted in any calendar year is capped at 50,000. This is now doubled to 100,000 for the duration of this campaign.
American Airlines AAdvantage has launched a 25% conversion bonus when transferring points from hotel loyalty programs over to AAdvantage in from now through October 30, 2019.
Remember that you can stack this promotion with extra bonuses some programs give out when transferring in large increments such as Marriott Rewards.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a release last year that it would take Trivago to court over misleading claims of displaying the lowest prices to consumers.
The case has now proceed to court in Sydney where both ACCC and Trivago are presenting their sides on the issue.
Today’s Airfare of the Day goes to Japan Airlines and American Airlines, and their shoulder season midweek business excursion round trip fares between Los Angles and Bangkok.
Remember that you can always email me or send me a message via Facebook or Twitter with your airfare-related findings or questions.
World of Hyatt has launched a new promotion for buying points with up to 40% bonus that is valid through October 18, 2019.
Members can buy up to 55,000 points every calendar year before any bonuses. Hyatt has several promotions for buying points throughout the year, but they always max at 40%.
Whine Wednesday this week deals with an issue that many of us are forced to deal with when in semi-public spaces – unnecessary noise.
I really don’t understand why people cannot take or make their phone calls/Facetime elsewhere or think that streaming content from their mobile device with full volume without headphones or earbuds in a semi-public space is acceptable?
Cathay Pacific has (surprise – surprise) launched a bonus miles campaign for Asia Miles members in Hong Kong and Macau.
Members can earn up to 3,000 bonus miles per round-trip flown September 12 – December 7, 2019 if booked September 12 – October 25. The offer applies to both Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon flights.
IHG Rewards Club Kimpton has released their Last Minute Deals for this coming week/weekend of September 18 – 23, 2019.
These rates are only available for IHG Rewards Club members, are prepaid and available on select dates depending on the property (see the list below).
Thomas Cook, UK based tour operator, that operates flights under its name sake and Condor brands has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US.
Thomas Cook is in the process of trying to get bonds of more than $1.1B restructured (inability to pay per original terms). If the process fails and the company is unable to secure more funds, the group is likely facing a bankruptcy and liquidation.
