Changes Coming to IHG Rewards Club in 2015

I picked up the IHG credit card from Chase recently so I could get a free night and top tier Platinum status for a $49 annual fee.  There are also bonus points to be collected, but I won’t spend anything on it later because the earn rate is pathetic.  I liked this plan and shared it with friends. 

I Mostly Have Airplane Photos

This morning I read an email from IHG announcing changes to the program.  I will no longer have top level status because “beginning in July, we’ll introduce a brand-new membership level for our members who stay with us the most.”  This is immensely frustrating because I was paying $49 to be on the top level.  I’ll keep the card for the free night and, soon, midrange status, but I’ll less likely to recommend it to anyone.  Also points will expire after 12 months of inactivity.  If this is a worry, sign up for the IHG dinning points program and you’ll be fine.  

Book British Airways Avios Awards Now

Spend your British Airways Avios on premium cabin awards now!  Award prices become ludicrous on April 27th and there is likely to be a mad dash for award space just before the prices change, so booking will be almost impossible after April 20th.  You can also save your Avios for short direct flights in coach, but that's not inspirational and won't make a good story.

Book While It's Still Worth While

Bad Email Subject Lines - ANA Edition

"ANA's Website will be simple and easy to use!"  This isn't the best email subject line in 2015.  I would expect that from any website, especially for a respected multinational brand that advertises in The Economist.  Maybe something was lost in translation?

ANA Does Run A Good Operation, With a Great Product

Airbus Shop Sale - 40% Off

A 1:100 scale PacMin A319 delivered to the USA for less than €200 is a great deal.  Shirts, stickers, and other models are also on sale.  Orders to the USA have VAT removed, but the shipping charges are high, so it's a wash.  Good deals though, especially with the cheap Euro.

1:1 Scale Airbus Model, Not On Sale

Update:  The store selection and frequent sales makes feel like Airbus isn't renewing this group's contract.  Maybe there will be a new and better store soon, I just hope they keep the custom A380 t-shirt.

I Wonder What's Beyond This Fence

I drove 1,200 miles last weekend to visit a radioactive hole in the ground. There was a large crowd that outnumbered off site protesters about 400:1 and it was an interesting continuation of my nuclear weapons tourism. It was really fun!

Let's See What's On The Other Side

White Sands Missile Range Landscape

Me at Ground Zero

Best Looking Airplane Paint Designs - DHL

DHL has great looking race cars and aircraft.  The A300 and Dallara DW12 aren't very attractive shapes, but the DHL paint makes them look great.

Ryan Hunter-Reay in Long Beach

DHL A300 at Madrid

Delta Posts Serious News Story on April 1

Delta announced a serious news story yesterday and disappointed me and every other April fools day fan. Delta's SkyMiles plan is a joke, but their corporate communications team is humorless. Booooo!

Dull Delta 

ATLANTA and SHANGHAI, April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is partnering with Ant Financial Services Group ("Ant Financial") and UATP to make it easier for Chinese consumers to purchase airline tickets via delta.com. The move, which sees Delta become the first United States carrier to add Ant Financial's Alipay payment platform to its website, is part of the airline's ongoing effort to serve Chinese travelers. UATP's alternative form of payment processing initiative connects airlines with online payment brands such as Alipay.