Delta Bug Fixed, Etihad's Concierge Service, AA's Flights to Cuba & More
Here's a roundup of the week's points, miles and travel industry news you may have missed:
Delta Fixes Korean Air Award Booking Bug
Delta's done a bit of work on its website to fix a bug that previously blocked access to Korean Air awards when the airline had blackout dates in any region. Blackout dates are now location-specific, just as they are when booking through Korean, and you can now see the different dates depending on which region you're searching. For example, if you're departing from North America, the blackout dates for next year are from May 13-June 30, 2016 and December 9-25, 2016.
Save on US Fall Travel with Delta
Delta's domestic fall travel sale is running through September 3, 2015 for travel from September 10 to November 1, 2015. Fares range from $99 to $240 each way (based on a round-trip ticket purchase), with flights from MIA to LGA starting at $119 in basic economy and Savannah (SAV) to JFK starting at $109 for Main Cabin seats.
Save 35% on AAdvantage Miles
Through September 3, 2015, you can save up to 35% when you buy or gift American Airlines AAdvantage miles. The bonus is tiered as follows:
- Buy 6,000-14,000 miles, receive a 15% discount.
- Buy 15,000-39,000 miles, receive a 20% discount.
- Buy 40,000-64,000 miles, receive a 25% discount.
- Buy 65,000-89,000 miles, receive a 30% discount.
- Buy 90,000-100,000 miles, receive a 35% discount.
Even if you max out the promotion, you'd be paying about 2.1 cents per mile, which is above my latest valuation. However, if you need to buy miles anyway to top up your account, or if you have a specific redemption in mind that you know offers better value, then this promotion can save you some money.
American Airlines Launches Nonstop Flights from LA to Cuba
American Airlines will launch charter flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Havana (HAV) starting December 12, 2015 — its first flight to the Cuban capital from the West Coast. The airline already offers nonstop flights from Miami (MIA) and Tampa (TPA) to Havana, with a total of 23 weekly flights.
Etihad Adds Concierge Service to A380 Flights
Passengers traveling in The Residence by Etihad onboard its A380 aircraft now have more than just London Savoy-trained butlers to take care of their needs while in the sky. Etihad Airways has joined forces with Ten Group to offer a Lifestyle Concierge team who can handle everything from dining and entertainment reservations to lifestyle services. The team offers to assist passengers "immediately, 24 hours a day, at 35,000 feet."
American Airlines to Discontinue Nonstop Service Between Philadelphia and Tel Aviv
After six years of poor performance, including a loss of over $20 million in the past year alone, nonstop service between Philadelphia and Tel Aviv will no longer be offered by American Airlines. The route will be discontinued as of January 4, 2016, with no plans to resume service in the near future. Passengers who are ticketed for service along the route beyond that date will be contacted by American to make alternative travel arrangements or receive a full refund.
Win Gold When Buying Duty Free in Abu Dhabi
If you happen to be flying through Abu Dhabi (AUH) from now through September 30, 2015 and spend either Dh150 ($40) on food or Dh500 ($136) on perfume and cosmetics in Duty Free, you'll have the chance to play the airport's new "Scratch & Win" promotion, with the chance to win 3.5 kg of gold.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees