American to Devalue March 2016

You'll earn fewer miles for flying, miles will be worth less when buying award tickets, and the program will be more like Delta and United. Not surprising or welcome news. Cash in your miles while they still have their current high value. Good luck, everyone else will be going after the same limited space on Qantas or Finnair.

Time is Fading on AAdvantage Award Value

Just Don't

Don't bother. This is a miserable value. 

Or Have $700 in Hotel Stays

Starwood to be Purchased by Marriott

Darn. I heard the rumors that Starwood was for sale, but I was betting on a small chain like Hyatt or private equity to buy them. Starwood announced today that Marriott would be acquiring them. I don't like this for a few reasons. I'm two years away from lifetime platinum status and it's likely that this benefit won't continue. I also get Marriott status from their United partnership, so I will lose a back up program and there will be tons of extra elites fighting for upgrades and awards. Marriott's awards program isn't as generous and provides worse value than SPG. Ultimately I like my SPG program as it is and don't want it changed. If I wanted to be a Marriott elite member, I would be. 

Westin Hotel at Denver Airport

British Airways Premium Economy Review

What is premium economy?  Premium economy is not on US carriers. Economy Plus, Main Cabin Extra, and Comfort+ are all economy with a little more room, 2-6in, to the row in front.  Many foreign carriers are installing a new cabin on long haul flights for premium economy.  Lufthansa describes it as: “A new travel experience between Business Class and Economy Class on long-haul flights: enjoy more comfortable seats, more service and more extras.” British Airways promotes: “a more comfortable, relaxing experience on longer routes and proof that a premium service doesn't have to break the bank, wider seats and more legroom, small, intimate cabins with expert, attentive service, delicious meals and full bar service, personal entertainment system with noise-reducing headphones, [and] larger free baggage allowance.”

Seat and Amenity Kit

Premium economy is a class between economy and business class, but is it a step up from coach or a step down from business class? The Qantas A380 upper deck has business, premium economy, and economy seats; 6, 7, and 8 seats per row respectively.  A British Airways 777 has 8 wide premium economy and 9 wide coach. The cabin is like economy in most ways.  There is no lounge access and the seats reline far, but are not close to flat.  The food service is improved, but still a single course.  The drink menu is the same as coach and the business class bathrooms at the front of the cabin are roped off.  Luggage isn’t expedited, general security lines are used, and passengers are directed to the general check in line. This is definitely an improved economy experience and not a Spartan business class service.

Premium Economy View

I enjoyed my British Airways World Traveler Plus experience.  I was originally booked on a 747-400 with the first version of premium economy. I misconnected in Heathrow because of a 4 hour fog delay. The delay was great, the Captain invited passengers into the cockpit to chat and kill time; it was a wonderful and rare experience. I was rebooked on a 777-300ER to Houston with the new cabin style. The service is the same, but the TV is better, there are more power outlets, and other little enhancements. I barely made the flight and was greeted with an offer of OJ or Champagne. I settled in to my seat in the last row with limited, though still ample, recline. The TV was large and clear and the seat next to me vacant.  I settled in and enjoyed the meal service. Bar options are the same as coach, Red Label rather than Black Label. The seat was comfortable for the 10 hour trip and I landed in Houston refreshed. As an added surprise, my luggage made it with me to Houston (United left it in Houston for the night while I went to Denver). 

Premium Economy Meal

Good trip and a great option when business class can’t be booked.  It’s also a great upgrade option, often $300ish dollars more than coach one way.  If you set your expectations that it’s an improved coach, you’ll be delighted with the value.

No First Class, but Ample Premium Economy

American Airlines Award Space to Australia

Premium cabin award space to Australia exists! Not on Star Alliance and Sky Team will send you via China or Korea (I couldn't find one day with space on Virgin Australia), but oneworld has direct space on Qantas. There isn't much, but a few days a month have a business class seat and first class space is available once every month or two. It's worth planning a trip around space availability to not go in coach or via Asia.

Great Program to Fly Qantas

The AAdvantage award chart to Australia / New Zealand is very good value. Almost too good. I wouldn't be surprised if prices are raised soon actually. One way in business class is 62,500 and first is 72,500 miles. Delta charges 80,000 miles for business class and United and Air New Zealand don't have premium cabin space, so their quoted fare is meaningless. Book a ticket while you can. American also permits members to hold award tickets for free, so place the flight on hold while you assemble the rest of your trip to go with the premium cabin leg.

Going to Australia? Going Coach.

Ryanair Business Plus Fare - Not Bad

No one ever says anything nice about Ryanair. News stories always focus on how awful they are to customers and what miserable management they have. Then the news story paradoxically ends that Ryanair is the most flown airline in Europe. Ryanair's popularity always seemed strange if they were with anti-customer pariah that should be shut down by regulators. I flew them from EDI to DUB two weeks ago and it was fine. 

Boarding at EDI

I booked the Business Plus fare type and paid $107.  The Business Plus fare included a checked bag, seat selection, ticket flexibility, a free boarding pass at the airport, and a few other items I didn't use.  This was about a $60 premium over the basic fare, but it was about a wash after adding bag and seat selection fees. On board I had an exit row seat that did not recline (like every seat). The leg room was good and the flight landed on time (Ryanair is the most punctual airline in Europe). I didn't order any food or beverages in flight. The experience surpassed my diminished expectations because the crew was friendly and nothing bad happened. There is a noticeable service difference between Ryanair and legacy European carriers, but with tickets starting a $12, people should not even expect punctual flights.

Tail Logo

Dawn at DUB

I had a four hour delay in Dublin last week due to fog in London. I enjoyed it even though I missed my connection to Denver. There was great morning light and a little haze in Dublin and it made for great pictures.

Dublin Airport at Dawn