Goodbye GPUs, Hello PlusPoints: United revamps elite upgrade scheme
United Airlines is adjusting the way its top MileagePlus elite members will pay for upgrades. And, at least to start, none of the upgrade costs are increasing. The post Goodbye GPUs, Hello PlusPoints:...
View ArticleDelta seeks subscription success with SkyMiles Select
Is it a new, lower elite tier that passengers can just buy outright? Or a threat to the co-branded credit card cash cow that drives so much of the airline's profits? Or just another way to get...
View ArticleAeroplan seeks a hybrid loyalty solution with program relaunch
Aeroplan is coming home and Air Canada has a LOT of big ideas on what that will mean for the future of its loyalty program. The program won't relaunch for members until late 2020, but significant...
View ArticleDLD 265: A luxury CRJ200 experience
Is there such a thing as a nice CRJ200 ride? And why might a new world's longest flight be a bad idea?? Plus another top tier got harder to realize and x is moving its pickup zone outside the terminal...
View ArticleIAG snaps up Air Europa to boost Latin American operations
Consolidation continues in the global aviation market, this time delivering a shift in transatlantic services. International Airline Group announced this morning its intentions to buy Air Europa. The...
View ArticleNorwegian declares itself "fully funded through 2020 and beyond"
Norwegian's financials, or potential lack of such, have raised eyebrows in the aviation world for some time now. Hoping to put those fears to rest – and continue selling seats as it heads into the...
View ArticlePulling the rip cord: We’re bailing early on India
We're not supposed to be in Mumbai right now. We're not even supposed to be at an airport. We're supposed to be on a train from Udaipur to Jaipur, chalking up another experience and milestone on this...
View ArticleDLD 274: Inside the data of loyalty
Loyalty programs like to talk about emotion and building relationships. But the driving factor behind all of that is data. Lots and lots of data. The post DLD 274: Inside the data of loyalty appeared...
View ArticlePremium products, loyalty continue to drive Delta’s growth
Delta Air Lines closed out 2019 much the way it started the year. Revenue is up and costs are mostly under control. Perhaps most important, however, is that the company is seeing gains in premium...
View ArticleDLD 277: To Asia or not to Asia
Lots of news about Asia this week, mostly in China but also beyond. Plus, pets on planes, fare derivatives and more. The post DLD 277: To Asia or not to Asia appeared first on Wandering Aramean.
View ArticleAmerican Airlines signs GOL as codeshare partner in South America, expands...
American Airlines and Brazil's GOL will establish a reciprocal codeshare agreement and frequent flyer program partnership. The deal is expected to open 20 additional South American destinations to the...
View ArticleAmerican Airlines, Alaska Airlines team up for West Coast international alliance
American Airlines and Alaska Airlines are longtime partners. That relationship is set to get a lot deeper as the two establish a "west coast international alliance" with more long-haul lift coming. The...
View ArticleAlaska Airlines offers elite bonus earning in face of COVID-19 booking weakness
Still traveling in the face of the global Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak? If you're flying on Alaska Airlines those trips will now get you even closer to elite status in the carrier's Mileage Plan...
View ArticleSkyMiles earn rates for LATAM flights now available
Looking to earn Delta SkyMiles on a LATAM-operated flight? The two carriers announced at the end of February that earning reciprocity would launch on 1 April 2020 but offered no other details. Now the...
View ArticleDelta, United extend elite status by a year, adjust other benefits
Frequent flyers at two of the world's largest airlines received a reprieve over the weekend. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines announced major changes to their loyalty program, extended previously...
View ArticleAir Canada, Alaska Airlines extend elite status
Two more airlines announced elite status extensions this week, waiving the qualification requirements for the 2020 calendar year. Air Canada's Altitude and Alaska Airlines' MileagePlan members have...
View ArticleAmerican Airlines extends status, eases qualification
American Airlines AAdvantage members with elite status will hold on to those benefits for an additional year. The carrier announced that change today, along with easing the qualification standards for...
View ArticleAvianca declares bankruptcy, seeks protection in restructuring
Colombia's Avianca became the latest and largest carrier to seek financial protections as the coronavirus pandemic stretches on, grounding airlines and flummoxing their balance sheets The post Avianca...
View ArticleJetBlue offers free TrueBlue Mosaic status, plus a year extension
JetBlue waited longer than most to announce plans for its TrueBlue loyalty program in the wake of the coronavirus groundings. But it appears the carrier used that time wisely. With its announcement...
View ArticleDLD 291: The Cheese Soup test
We're deep in the throes of learning what requirements will exist for passengers to prove they're healthy and resume travel. This week's episode has a very unlikely candidate for one such test. The...
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