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Will Delta End Support for LGBT Civil Rights In the Name of Ending Discounts for ‘Divisive’ Groups?

Regular readers know that I'm thrilled by the support travel companies have given to same sex marriage. Travel providers do tend to be more socially liberally than the countries in which they're based. That's true all over the world, they bring people into contact with other cultures and bring foreign experiences home.

But now, in the aftermath of Delta's PR debacle ending a discount arrangement with the NRA, Delta says they may stop offering discounts to "any group of a politically divisive nature." Will that end Delta's support for LGBT groups?

Continue reading Will Delta End Support for LGBT Civil Rights In the Name of Ending Discounts for ‘Divisive’ Groups?...

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Strategy to Save 20% on Hotels and Mercedes Amex Card Ending

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Continue reading Strategy to Save 20% on Hotels and Mercedes Amex Card Ending...

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40% Bonus on Purchased Alaska Miles is Back (The Best Airline Miles at 2.1 Cents)

Alaska Airlines is offering a 40% bonus on purchased miles through April 9.

Alaska Airlines allows a free stopover on each one way award. And they have some of the best redemption prices of any program.

Continue reading 40% Bonus on Purchased Alaska Miles is Back (The Best Airline Miles at 2.1 Cents)...

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United Flight Attendant Grievances Shut Down at Change.org

On Friday United sent out a memo that they're eliminating quarterly performance bonuses of up to $300 and replacing those with a lottery which fewer than 2% of United's employees will receive anything from.

Employees are not happy about this change. A flight attendant created a change.org petition detailing grievances, but was forced to close it.

Continue reading United Flight Attendant Grievances Shut Down at Change.org...

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Devaluation of Citi Prestige Trip Delay Benefit

One of the great benefits of many premium travel rewards cards is trip delay coverage. If your flight is delayed -- the length of delay required varies -- you can send the bill to your credit card company's insurance provider for things like transportation to and from a hotel, your room night, and meals.

Continue reading Devaluation of Citi Prestige Trip Delay Benefit...

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Why We’re Beating Chase With Sapphire Reserve

It was supposedly a card that finally figured out how to attract millennials when the truth is it was just a card that offered more total value than most that had ever come before and whose initial marketing was primarily online so new applicants skewed younger.

The value was so rich that word on the street was Chase didn’t even ever expect to make money on a new cardholder until they held the product for 6 or 7 years.

Continue reading Why We’re Beating Chase With Sapphire Reserve...

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Unreal $600 Business Class Roundtrip, Cairo – New York

Italian carrier Meridiana has been in the news for its rebranding as Air Italy. The Qatar Airways-backed carrier is taking on bankrupt Alitalia to become Italy's national airline. It's upgrading its fleet and services and has a massive growth plan.

And right now there's a $600 roundtrip business class fare between Cairo and New York JFK.

Continue reading Unreal $600 Business Class Roundtrip, Cairo – New York...

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United Replacing $300 Performance Bonuses With Quarterly Reaping

United Airlines sent a memo to employees yesterday telling them they would no longer receive their quarterly bonuses of up to $300.

Instead when United hits at least one of four performance metrics they all get entered in a lottery.

Continue reading United Replacing $300 Performance Bonuses With Quarterly Reaping...

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Hyatt Cracks Down on Elites Lending Out Their Elite Status

Hyatt explicitly lets members gift their elite status to friends when they book awards in someone else's name.

But booking a paid reservation for someone else using your own account is verboten. Frequently some members will book a stay in their own name and add a friend as a second guest on the reservation.

Continue reading Hyatt Cracks Down on Elites Lending Out Their Elite Status...

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Best Ever 70,000 Mile Offers Back for Delta Credit Cards

I'm not sure how long the expensive customer acquisition strategies will prove sustainable but we're seeing a bonus arms race largely because of intense competition for customers and the economic models that suggest how important each new customer is.

American Express is offering signup bonuses up to 70,000 SkyMiles which I believe is only the third time I've ever seen a public offer go that high for a Delta card.

Continue reading Best Ever 70,000 Mile Offers Back for Delta Credit Cards...

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NH Hotels Fears a Rival May Buy Chinese Investor HNA’s Stake

Pictured is Federico J. González Tejera, co-chairman of NH Hotels, on April 16, 2015. Minority shareholder HNA Group wants to sell its stake in NH Hotels, which doesn't want a strategic investor to get a piece. World Travel & Tourism Council

Skift Take: NH Hotels has been on a corporate rollercoaster ride over the past couple of years with HNA Group’s minority shareholding being the principle catalyst. Things have quieted down recently but harmony likely depends on the identity of the new investor.

— Patrick Whyte

Read the Complete Story On Skift

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Tours and Activities Companies Raise Over $15 Million This Week

KKDay, Asia’s largest attractions platform, has raised $10.5 million in additional funding led by Japanese investors. The investment has made the startup's founder and CEO Ming Chen, shown in this winter 2017 photo, all smiles. KKDay

Skift Take: Some investors think that patience is not only a virtue, but can also be worth a windfall. But waiting for big returns from tours and activities sector companies KKDay, Bookingkit, and TickX — which have received fresh investment rounds — may test their virtue.

— Sean O'Neill

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Delta May End Discounts for All ‘Politically Divisive’ Groups After NRA Controversy

Pictured is Delta CEO Ed Bastian at the Skift Global Forum in New York City in September 2017. After the National Rifle Association controversy, Delta Air Lines may end discounts for all politically divisive groups. Skift

Skift Take: How many more news cycles will this Delta Air Lines/NRA fracas take up? Surely this is enough already, no? Let's go back discussing emotional support animals.

— Brian Sumers

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U.S. National Parks Still Aren’t Sure How to Deal With Overtourism

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, pictured here, was the most- visited U.S. National Park in 2017. dconvertini / Flickr

Skift Take: The park service has dramatically changed its tune during the past year and acknowledged that overtourism is something it must address – all while its leadership has stirred trouble. But the parks have a long road to travel before they can command a reasonable balance of visitors who won't cause a conservation nightmare.

— Dan Peltier

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Mandarin Oriental’s New Loyalty Program Has Tons of Perks But No Free Nights

The Mandarin Oriental has a new loyalty program that emphasizes on-site perks and upgrades over free stays. Mandarin Oriental

Skift Take: While Mandarin Oriental's loyalty program doesn't offer the same lucrative points that many competing programs have, it does have some valuable perks. Best of all, the program is free and accessible to everyone.

— Grant Martin

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Interview: HotelPlanner CEO Defends His Company’s NRA Ties

On February 26, HotelPlanner CEO Tim Hentschel appeared on CNBC to discuss his company's contract that enables members of the National Rifle Association to enjoy discounted group travel. CNBC

Skift Take: Stopping people under 21 years old from being able to effortlessly buy assault rifles is a societal decision. But it remains open for debate on how travel companies should treat a gun lobby that opposes such a move.

— Sean O'Neill

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‘Ol Pub in Urbiztondo San Juan, La Union

Out of Town Blog ‘Ol Pub in Urbiztondo San Juan, La Union

Perfect Place for the Young, Hip, and Cool Breathtaking view of the sea, amazing artworks, and hospitable locals make La Union a destination in itself. With waves of tourists coming to town, also comes a great number of food establishments around the area too. During our day 2 of media familiarization with the RCL Properties […]

‘Ol Pub in Urbiztondo San Juan, La Union Denise Alyssa G. Villamar