Keith T

So I guess HON Circle is in sight?

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story...6-23349,00.html

Welcome back to the land of the living, Azman MN.

Wait a minute - are they really axing or planning to axe FRA? I think I must have missed that bit of news. If true, I can only scratch my head in bewilderment.

They have an obligation to rebook you onto another carrier if they cancel that flight. Maybe you can request to go KUL-SIN-EWR on SQ.

The TA I use in MEL charges a service fee of $35 per economy class itinerary, and $100 for round the worlds. Apparently it's because airlines pay very little commission on these tickets, or next to nothing if it's a RTW (which ironically does tend to be a lot more labour-intensive than simple return journeys). No service fee for J or F itineraries where the commissions are better. I usually plan my own itineraries and book them directly with the airline so I don't have to pay the service fee. But sometimes I use TAs as they have more generous ticketing deadlines than the airlines, or are able to clear waitlists if they have a good business relationship with the airlines. I know a Canadian TA who charges a US$600 'consulting fee' for RTW itineraries.

TAs have a habit of making block bookings, which are then released or forcibly canceled when left unticketed.

A similar debate is happening on Flyertalk - and someone offered that in the event of a decompression, the oxygen masks wouldn't be able to reach the floor.

Skytrash runs a consultancy for airlines on inflight service. Which makes their ranking methodologies all the more questionable as there are clear conflicts of interest there. The more cynical would argue opinions published on the website are ads for their airline clients...

Perhaps the agreement with KL allows for a bigger bloc of MH seats?

For 2008: - To achieve AA Executive Platinum/oneworld Emerald status - To retain Starwood Platinum status - To get even more airline upgrades (not operational upgrades - i mean the ones using vouchers) to clear - To achieve as close to 100% suite upgrades at Starwood properties as possible - To explore my own backyard - visit one Australian city I've yet to go to - To avoid LCCs altogether

Has that been officially announced? If it's just speculation I'm not 'well aware' as I don't read a.net. Otherwise it might well lift the overall standards of ST a little. *ducks from flames* Ah well, I suppose I'd just have to slum it with Lanson NV, Charles Heidsieck MEC, Monopole Blue Top, Deutz Cuvee or Billecart-Salmon NV for now.

Dom Perignon in J...mmm... please join OW!!

I've tried to use it for domestic tickets but it kept timing out. I'd have thought they'd ensure a good online booking engine before imposing a levy like that. I hope that they'd make exceptions if the booking cannot be completed online for whatever reason.

Standard industry practice nowadays - but they need to ensure an efficient online booking experience.

Clearly there's a difference between a 'national carrier' and an Australian-based, privately owned carrier that plays up to nationalist sentiments in their marketing and political campaigns. I can certainly understand why they'd do it and obviously as a business they need to run efficiently - just don't expect the Government to be as supportive the next time Cabinet decides on ex-SYD transpacific 5th freedoms.

No new airlines for me anytime soon...until SEP 2008 when im booked on DragonAir and Finnair. But in the meantime I've got US Scareways (segment operated by what used to be HP but still...) to look forward to in FEB...

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story...4-23349,00.html

Yep that'd seem more in line with and confirms what's almost always going to be the case.

http://www.oneworld.com/ow/news/details?objectID=12208

The release says 'Travel must originate in Los Angeles' so I'm not sure if it'd apply to an ex-KUL itinerary.

They're official members as of yesterday.

http://www.russiatoday.ru/news/news/17078

Ok..false alarm. Stephen Forshaw, spindoctor (oops I mean spokesman) for SQ has now denied claims of a bid.