$500 Million to Fix Lagging Sheratons

by Gary Leff

hotel bed
Jun 06 2018

Three years ago Starwood announced a $100 million effort to revitalize the Sheraton brand. This was mostly about marketing investment, but they made some tweaks using the Sheraton ‘Grand’ moniker and a carrot and stick approach with fees and incentives, to try to get hotel owners to invest in their properties.

They promised to improve the offerings in club lounges, improve hotel design, and bring on new properties. This was back when the chain was still trying to grow on its own even though the board had largely decided to sell.

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Qatar Airways CEO Says His Job Is Too Demanding for a Woman

by Gary Leff

Akbar al Baker meeting Trumps
Jun 05 2018

Last year Qatar’s CEO said that on “crap American carriers” you’ll “always be served by grandmothers.”

He’s the new Chairman of IATA, the International Air Transport Association which represents over 275 airlines in more than 110 countries. And he didn’t waste much time causing controversy with his (offensive) remarks — immediately after vowing not to.

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American Airlines Gold Members Losing Discount on Extra Legroom Seats Midway Through Benefit Year

by Gary Leff

airplane seats
Jun 05 2018

Customers flew throughout 2017 for their elite benefits this year. They’ve been flying all this year on the promise of benefits they’d have for the remainder of the year (if a higher status) and next year. That’s why it’s terrible when a program takes away elite benefits during the program year.

American Airlines even sells elite status renewals. AAdvantage Gold, for instance, can sell for $699.

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New Members Booking Through Expedia Still Get Hyatt Place Breakfast – Globalists Will Not

by Gary Leff

hotel breakfast food
Jun 05 2018

This tells me they’re thinking about their strategy against online booking sites, rather than thinking about their customers. If someone spends 55 nights or more a year (or spends over $20,000) with Hyatt they’re a valuable customer every time they walk through the door.

If a top tier elite books through Expedia because the rate was lower, or because the hotel was sold out on the Hyatt site but still available at GetARoom they’re demonstrating their loyalty. Treating them less well than a first time guest simply makes no sense.

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Etihad Is Cancelling One of Their Two New York A380 Flights, What Should I Do?

by Gary Leff

inside airliner
Jun 05 2018

Etihad has been pulling back from the U.S., just as they’ve been pulling back from investments in foreign airlines. They decided to stem their losses in air berlin and Alitalia. They’ve cut routes around the world as their appetite for growth at the expense of their balance sheet has subsided.

They eliminated their Dallas Fort-Worth flight after American severed its codesharing relationship. They eliminated their San Francisco flight after Air India starting San Francisco – Delhi.

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