United Alters MileagePlus Benefits

November 19, 2014 MileagePlus announcements MileagePlus is making several announcements today.  2015 Premier® benefits  Traveler benefits on award tickets MileagePlus members will be notified via the monthly MileagePlus statement email and information posted on united.com. 1. Premier benefits 2015 MileagePlus Premier benefit changes As of February 1, 2015, the following MileagePlus Premier benefits will change a. Baggage: Premier Gold members traveling on domestic Economy tickets will only receive two (2) complimentary checked bags, changed from the current allowance of three (3). b. Global Entry payment reimbursement: MileagePlus members will no longer receive a payment code for the $100 Global Entry application fee. c. Mileage Upgrade Award on Premium Service (p.s.) routes: Premier members will no longer be exempt from the co-pay when requesting a MileagePlus Upgrade Award on the p.s. route (JFK to/from LAX or SFO). Read more here.    2. Traveler benefits on award tickets Effective April 15, 2015, Premier travel benefits for customers traveling on an award ticket for United- and United Express®-operated flights will be determined by the traveler's own Premier status, even if another member's miles were used to purchase the award ticket. Read more here. English: united.com/copaupdates   united.com

Airlines on Track to Rake in $50 Billion in Fees in 2014

Airfares that are quoted are only a percentage of the actual cost of travel.  Increasingly, airlines who never miss any opportunities to tack on a multitude of fees, will end up collecting about $50 billion in 2014 just on ancillary fees.  The trend will continue in 2015 and beyond.  Fees represent the biggest source of new revenue for airlines and will grow about 15% annually for the foreseeable future. www.premieretravel.com

The Myth of "The best day to buy cheap airline tickets"

Those so-called "experts" keep coming up with new ideas supported by dubious facts about what is the best day to buy tickets on the cheap.  Wednesday? That is so out.  Tuesday? That came after Wednesday, or was it before?  The latest claim by clueless reporters is Sunday!   Citing faulty airline data of average price per ticket and other factors, those "experts" are trying to handicap the airlines' complex pricing models.  The truth is that the best day to buy the cheapest ticket depends on so many complex factors that includes among other things: Seasonality, competition, capacity, shifting routes and schedules, frequency and so on.  Add to all that some irrational randomness in pricing followed by airlines matching each other, you have the rubik's cube of pricing that pundits and experts are trying to divine.  These articles published from time to time make for entertaining reading but are otherwise devoid from any facts.  In conclusion, the best day to buy a ticket is when you like the price. www.premieretravel.com

Jet Fuel Cost Goes Down, But Airlines Increase Fares and Maintain Fuel Surcharge

Well, may be Southwest went along the "successful" fare increase so they can slap colorful hearts on their freshly painted 737's.  Delta started the fare increase signalling Thursday October 16.  By Friday the 17th, Southwest aggressively matched  Delta which was then copied by almost all airlines.
Southwest has transformed itself to act like a legacy carrier.  The once proud discount carrier with friendly service now resembles all others. What is really puzzling about this latest fare increase is that fuel costs have gone down dramatically over the past 3 months, down about 25%.  International airlines, with the DOT's blessing or looking the other way, have maintained the "Fuel Surcharge" that was implemented when fuel prices were above where we are now.  www.premieretravel.com

Ebola's Big Impact on Travel

The U.S. government as well as the European Union are scrambling to contain the Ebola virus which has now begun to show up in the U.S. and Europe.  As of now, there is no clear plan or strategy of how to deal with travel restrictions from affected areas in west Africa.  Limits on non-stop flights will not work as most travelers from west Africa transit or stop through Europe.  The symptoms of the virus may not show until well after the travel has taken place as was the case with the Liberian man arriving in Dallas and initially released only to be diagnosed later.  While there are no easy solutions, travelers must take precautions on their own and might consider avoiding travel to the affected areas. www.premieretravel.com

Update October 8: DHS is taking "new measures".  DHS Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said agents would observe all travelers for "general signs of illness"...and that DHS is taking a"layered approach..."  These measures will create more questions than answers.  What training or qualifications do agents have to identify people with illness (ebola) if the symptoms are not showing? What happens if they do identify people with symptoms?....

Air France's "Gourmet" Strike is Over

Air France announced that "normal schedule" will resume September 30 after the Pilots Union decided to end their strike.  The inconclusive end leaves on the table the possibility that another strike may happen in the future over the very same issue.

The Pilots union called off the strike "in the interest of passengers and the company".  The 2-week disruption caused a huge financial loss for Air France and displaced tens of thousands of passengers that due to limited availability were stranded.

The Pilots feel that they are entitled to legacy gold plated benefits and pay even if Air France is trying to expand it's low cost carrier alternative.  They want the same unrealistic pay and benefits for the low cost operation, essentially defeating the purpose of low cost and making it uncompetitive with the ultra efficient Ryan Air, Easyjet and the dozens of other options that are taking away market share from Air France. www.premieretravel.com

Another Day, Another Legroom Skirmish

Yet another flight, this time Delta from New York to Florida, had to be diverted because of 2 passengers arguing over reclining seats.  This issue is turning into a frequent occurrence as airlines keep taking away personal space to squeeze in more seats.

Some passengers believe that the flying experience has really deteriorated.  Whether it is tight spaces, long security lines, surly TSA agents and flight crews to the on board experience, flying isn't what it used to be.  The cattle car feel has provoked travelers trying to protect their space from recliners, armrest hawkers and the deodorant challenged.  The average seat has shrunk along with legroom, while the average size/weight of the traveler has increased.  Perhaps the airlines can come up with a new fee for "minimum personal space".
www.premieretravel.com