Comments for View from the Wing

Comment on Weekend at the Falls: American Business Class, Gol Domestic, and the Sheraton Iguazú Resort: Sheraton Iguazú Falls Resort & Spa by Gary

Gary — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:19:10 +0000

@JD actually we saw people up there!

Comment on Weekend at the Falls: American Business Class, Gol Domestic, and the Sheraton Iguazú Resort: Sheraton Iguazú Falls Resort & Spa by JD

JD — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:09:17 +0000

Gary, it seems you were unaware that there is a viewing platform on the roof of the Sheraton. I noticed it mentioned on the thread for this hotel on FT. Just ask someone at the desk for a keycard, which you can keep for the duration of your stay. We were at the Sheraton for two days last month and never ran into anyone on the roof. A nice perk that nobody seems to know about.

Comment on Weekend at the Falls: American Business Class, Gol Domestic, and the Sheraton Iguazú Resort: The Wonder of the Falls by Gary

Gary — Sat, 26 May 2012 18:47:34 +0000

@Billy my general sense is that there’s more to do on the Argentina side bu there are a couple of amazing vistas on the Brazil side, depends on how much time you have and definitely if you intend a helicopter tour since you can’t do that from Argentina… But it’s a pain to do the Visa and you do NEED a few weeks to get it in many cases

Comment on Weekend at the Falls: American Business Class, Gol Domestic, and the Sheraton Iguazú Resort: The Wonder of the Falls by Billy

Billy — Sat, 26 May 2012 18:33:11 +0000

Always report. Heading there in a few weeks. Am coming from Argentina side. Is it worth it to get a visa to visit the Brazilian side?

Comment on Weekend at the Falls: American Business Class, Gol Domestic, and the Sheraton Iguazú Resort: American to Miami in first, then Business Class to Sao Paulo by Weekend at the Falls: American Business Class, Gol Domestic, and the Sheraton Iguazú Resort: The Wonder of the Falls - View from the Wing

Sat, 26 May 2012 17:46:11 +0000

[...] American to Miami in First, then Business Class to Sao Paulo Gol Smiles VIP Lounge and Domestic Service to Foz de Iguassu Sheraton Iguazú Falls Resort & Spa The Wonder of the Falls Gol Domestic Back to Sao Paulo and the Admiral’s Club Sao Paulo American’s Business Class to Miami and on to DC [...]

Comment on Lawsuit Filed Against United for Changes to Million Miler Program by Gary

Gary — Sat, 26 May 2012 14:23:00 +0000

@Dan I probably should, there’s not all that much transparency, prior to integration United allowed you to travel 15% over the published maximum permitted mileage for a routing…. with the integrated United/Continental, we basically have the old Continental rules, that don’t explicitly or consistently enforce maximum permitted mileage at all. At least sometimes. And there are some contradictory rules, such as enroute stopovers being permitted but circle trips (like US – Hong Kong – New Zealand – US) not being permitted, even if Hong Kong would be a permissable stopover between US and New Zealand (which under an MPM+15% concept it would be for some ciry pairs and not others).

Comment on Lawsuit Filed Against United for Changes to Million Miler Program by Dan

Dan — Sat, 26 May 2012 14:18:22 +0000

Gary,

Could you do a post on the “new” routing rules? I’m not familiar with CO’s all that much.

Comment on Lawsuit Filed Against United for Changes to Million Miler Program by chitownflyer

chitownflyer — Sat, 26 May 2012 13:45:48 +0000

From a public relations viewpoint, the changes to the UA Million Miler and Mileage Plus program have been poorly handled by the merged COdbaUA. United started its merger with a major devaluation of the Mileage Plus program. 1Ks only earn 4 CR1s for earning 100K EQMs. The creation of the Platinum level is to appeal to CO flyers by having a 75K elite level, yet they earn 75 percent bonus RDMs. Premier Executive which is now called Premier Gold with the bonus RDMs being reduced to 50 percent. For those holding this status as lifetime MMs, the reduction in RDM earnings is topped up by the loss of 2 CR1s annually and the loss of earning 3 bonus SWUs upon reaching MM status. The addition of status for a spouse or partner is a nice feature, and so was the one time EQM bonus(for Star partners, high yield fares of F, C, Y, B, etc.), and Chase EQMs. However, they do not replace the benefits that are lost for 1Ps.

Premiers aka Star Silvers really get the shaft with an inability to select Economy Plus until 24 hours before a flight and a free baggage allowance of one checked bag.

In short, the merged company has stated that its elites will experience, “changes you will like,” and these changes have been reduced benefits. This is probably though of as a cost saving measure of overentitled flyers by certain members of management, but I think it is unwise and likely to loose customers. IMHO, the best policy is the customer is the king or queen, and a happy customer is a loyal and profitable customer.

Gary, you and lucky both switched your business over to AA as you found better value in the Executive Platinum status. I think other UA elites are certainly exploring the dAArkside as well.

Comment on Access Milepoint.com Free From the Sky! by Free Access to Milepoint Forums with GoGo Wireless - New Girl in the Air

Free Access to Milepoint Forums with GoGo Wireless - New Girl in the Air — Sat, 26 May 2012 13:04:42 +0000

[...] Tip to View from the Wing for first sharing this with [...]

Comment on Lawsuit Filed Against United for Changes to Million Miler Program by Mark

Mark — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:38:19 +0000

Although unfortunate this happened, suing them is not going to help really anyone. The cost of litigation, etc. is just going to screw everyone in the end. Employees laid off, program benefits trimmed, and bitterness. Doesn’t help anyone.