Maybe the era of dirt-cheap airfare isn’t eliminating the need for points and miles after all

I’ve been thinking about the various threads in this post for a while, but an excellent article by Robert Dwyer on Milenomics this past weekend really helped crystallize everything for me. Go read it, then come back here. I think Dwyer’s article resonated with me because I’ve always gotten annoyed by the idea that there’sContinue reading “Maybe the era of dirt-cheap airfare isn’t eliminating the need for points and miles after all”

Trying to wring a few droplets of value from Flying Blue’s new dynamic award pricing on trips to Paris

You could say I wasn’t happy when Flying Blue announced changes to their frequent flyer program. Anytime a program ditches award charts in favor of dynamic pricing, it’s pretty much a sign that multiple stealth devaluations will follow in short order. Sure, programs like Delta will throw a bone in the form of award salesContinue reading “Trying to wring a few droplets of value from Flying Blue’s new dynamic award pricing on trips to Paris”

The dumb thing about how airlines are gutting the concept of lounge “membership” and a possible way to save some money if you’re desperate.

US-airline lounge memberships, I’m assuming, used to involve white-gloved stewards fetching you from the security queue and whisking you into a space of refinement and comfort so you could relax before your flight. Unfortunately, this elegance was eventually taken over by harried traveling salespeople cramming stale pretzels and sweaty cheese into their food-holes and stinkingContinue reading “The dumb thing about how airlines are gutting the concept of lounge “membership” and a possible way to save some money if you’re desperate.”