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Okay – Been awhile since I released a newsletter. It’s taken me a bit to get back into the swing of it, but I’m back and providing more up to date travel news and deals.
Rob
How y’all doing! Today’s travel scoop covers Delta’s flight chaos as they struggle to recover from a major outage, and whether transferring Citi points to Flying Blue is a savvy move. We also have a sweet deal for flights from LA to Belize with American Airlines, and JetBlue’s new “Mini Mint” that might causing a squeeze in coach legroom. Lastly, a rumored change to the Amex Gold card could mean new perks—and a higher fee. Buckle up for all the details!
✈️Citi Points to Flying Blue: Yay or Nay?
Air France-KLM Flying Blue offers a SkyTeam frequent flyer program with top-notch award pricing, especially for transatlantic flights. Members of the Flying Blue program enjoy more award seat availability compared to partner programs, making it a go-to for savvy travelers. And if you know us, Air France has been one of our favorites when flying to Europe.
While Flying Blue’s pricing can fluctuate, it often beats Delta SkyMiles, particularly after recent devaluations. If you’re planning a trip across the pond, having a stash of Flying Blue miles can be a game-changer. We have taken advantage of Flying Blue’s program saving thousands!
Right now, there’s an enticing offer: a 25% bonus on Citi ThankYou points transferred to Flying Blue, valid until August 17, 2024. It’s the first such bonus in over a year, making it an appealing opportunity for frequent flyers. This equates to getting a 50k business flight for only 38k,
Bottom line: If transatlantic travel is on your horizon, this bonus might just be the golden ticket to maximize your Citi ThankYou points.
✈️Rumored Changes to Amex Gold: Yay or Nay?
Hold onto your wallets, folks! Rumors are swirling about changes coming to the Amex Gold card, and while nothing is confirmed, the buzz is worth noting. The whispers suggest an annual fee hike from $250 to $325, alongside a few new perks and some limitations.
What’s New?
Fee Increase: Annual fee jumps by $75 to $325.
Dunkin’ Donuts Credit: $7 monthly credit.
Resy Credit: $50 semi-annual credit.
Dining Credit Update: Shake Shack and Milk Bar out, Five Guys in.
What’s Changing?
Points Cap: 4x points at restaurants capped at $50,000 in purchases per year.
Keeping:
Uber Cash: Up to $10 monthly.
Dining Credit: $10 monthly for select dining, including GrubHub.
Quick Takes: For frequent Dunkin’ drinkers and Resy users, the new credits could offset the fee hike. However, the “couponification” of the card may not sit well with everyone. The new $50K dining cap might also be a dealbreaker for high spenders.
Bottom Line: If you can leverage the new perks, the math might work in your favor. Otherwise, the fee increase could feel steep for the average user.
✈️Delta’s Flightmare: Stranded Passengers and Grounded Planes
Delta Air Lines is in the eye of the storm this weekend, battling more cancellations than any other airline globally. This chaos stems from recovery struggles following a CrowdStrike outage. Saturday saw nearly 1,200 Delta flights grounded, and nearly half of those that did fly were delayed. While Endeavor Air, Delta’s subsidiary, and United Airlines also faced disruptions, airlines like American and Southwest fared much better.
Southwest Airlines, amusingly spared by its outdated tech, was left virtually unscathed, canceling just one flight. American Airlines boasted its swift recovery, attributing it to quick problem-solving and collaboration with the FAA.
Delta, however, is struggling. Stranded crews, a lack of reserve staff, and long customer service wait times have exacerbated the crisis. Despite its premium branding, Delta’s recovery processes have proven weak, leaving passengers and employees equally frustrated.
Takeaway: Delta’s current predicament is a stark reminder that even top-performing airlines can falter dramatically, turning travel plans into travel nightmares.
✈️JetBlue’s “Mini Mint”: First Class Comfort, Coach Class Crunch
JetBlue is shaking things up with their new domestic first-class offering, “Mini Mint,” set to debut in 2026. Known for their stellar Mint service on long-haul flights, JetBlue is aiming to bring some of that luxury to shorter domestic routes. However, this new addition comes with a catch—reduced legroom for coach passengers.
The “Mini Mint” cabins will feature Collins Aerospace MiQ seats, the same used by American, Delta, and United for their domestic first-class and premium economy. Here’s the expected layout:
A220: 143 seats total, 8 Mini Mint, 135 economy
A320: 162 seats total, 12 Mini Mint, 150 economy
A321ceo: 198 seats total, 12 Mini Mint, 186 economy
A321neo: 200 seats total, 12 Mini Mint, 188 economy
To fit these first-class seats without losing overall capacity, JetBlue will trim the legroom in economy. Once a standout with its generous 32-inch pitch, JetBlue’s economy class will now be more in line with the competition.
What Stays: Despite the legroom cut, JetBlue will keep its in-flight entertainment and free WiFi, maintaining some of its passenger-friendly perks.
What Goes: Planned lounges in New York and Boston seem to have been nixed, marking a step back in their premium offerings.
Takeaway: JetBlue’s “Mini Mint” aims to attract higher-paying customers without reducing total seat count, but at the expense of its once-roomy economy class.
✈️ Fly to Belize: A Deal Worth the Dive
Looking for an adventure in the heart of Central America? American Airlines has a sweet deal for you: Los Angeles to Belize City for just $346 in Basic Economy or $392 for Regular Economy, roundtrip including all taxes.
For $392, you get all the perks—carry-on, personal item, and advance seat selection. The $346 Basic Economy fare is a bit more bare-bones with no seat selection or flexibility.
When to Fly: Sample dates are August 22-27, but more options are available in late August. Just remember to book at least three days in advance.
How to Score This Deal: Use Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software with routing codes “aa aa” and the maxconnect extension “300.” Once you find your dates, head over to American Airlines to book.
Bonus Tips:
Stay Connected: Sign up for their Real Time Newsletter for economy class deals, or the Premium Newsletter for business and first-class steals.
Stay Smart: Avoid foreign transaction fees and international data roaming charges, and get your taxes refunded when shopping abroad.
Belize Awaits: Snorkel in crystal-clear waters, explore ancient Mayan ruins, or just kick back on the beach. Your tropical getaway is just a flight away.
