American Airlines just announced new technologies to set the stage for a smoother customer experience. An electronic wallet, mobile ID, and virtual assistant are now available to make flying as seamless as possible. Customers can log in to their AAdvantage account to see their flight and trip credits in the electronic wallet and can use travel credits towards booking new trips. If plans have changed, the new feature automatically refunds their miles to the e-wallet if they have to cancel an eligible AAdvantage award ticket.
AA customers will have an option to test the airline’s new mobile ID technology, by using the device to verify their identity when they check their bag with an agent. A third party app will issue a digital token to the mobile device to be used to confirm their identity at the bag drop. This could help to reduce physical contact during the journey.
America Airlines has also launched a virtual chat platform with a virtual assistant available to answer customer’s general travel queries. This easily accessible function also provides information about travel guidelines, how to change a flight and the number of checked bags passengers are allowed.
Delta Airlines is a leader in making passengers feel safe in new world of COVID. They partnered with Lysol and Purell, focused on blocking the middle seats, have a mask requirement and use electrostatic spraying disinfectant between every flight. Delta has also been regularly testing its employees for COVID-19. Testing doesn’t just keep employees safe, but also passengers. Their next focus is on rapid COVID testing for passengers.
Mayo Clinic observed Delta Airlines crews in order to provide the best recommendations for Delta policies and procedures to keep fliers healthy and safe by boarding a Delta A330-300 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and never leaving the gate. They were there to experience a simulation of in-flight service the flight attendants deliver to customers and share their views on key health and safety considerations as Delta continues to refine the processes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mayo Clinic took a hard look at the food and beverage service, the way the flight attendants prepare the food, the way it is delivered to the customer, and the way they interact with each other. Delta’s goal is to create an environment on the planes that customers and crew feel good about, so they are confident to fly. Delta and the Mayo Clinic formed a partnership to evaluate the risk of exposure to decrease the COVID-19 transmission by looking at times masks are off, the data, the current science, and putting that all together to make the best recommendations for policies and procedures.
Alaska Airlines will block middle seats on flights over Christmas and into the new year. The policy, which was going to end November 30, was extended as competitor Southwest Airlines said it will remove its seating caps on December 1. The move leaves Alaska, Delta, and Jet Blue capping the number of passengers on any given flight in the U.S. The policies are viewed more as a confidence-boosting measure with social distancing being difficult in an aircraft. Alaska intends to begin unblocking seats in early 2021. Studies have shown that air filtration and mask-wearing on planes reduces the risk of COVID infection to almost zero.
Spirit Airlines has a new frequent flyer program to replace its dated one. Spirit Airlines has long been aggressive with pricing and new routes and is now ready to get competitive with its new Free Spirit program where miles are out and points are in. Spirit will award redeemable and elite-qualifying points, known as Status Qualifying Points (SQPs) based on how much you spend with the airline. Award redemption prices will be tied to ticket fares. Spirit makes a significantly larger percentage of its revenue on ancillary fares than the major U.S. airlines. The new program will reward dollars spent on seat assignment charges, bag fees, and more at double the rate spent on the base airfare. This is an improvement for Spirit travelers since bag and seat assignments can cost more than the actual ticket. Spirit will have actual elite status tiers with real benefits, such as free seat assignments and bag fee waivers. Silver status is attainable to travelers who spend at least $2000 each year. Gold status requires 5000 SQPs which is earned with $5000 in eligible spending. Unlike with redeemable points, the extras don’t add up faster than airfare. Flyers with the Spirit Airlines credit card can use it to earn SQPs at a rate of 1 SQP per $10 charged to the card. While there are some real money-saving perks at the Free Spirit Silver level, Gold is where things get good.
Along with the frequent flyer program Spirit’s $9 Fare Club will also be reinvented. On January 21, 2021 the $9 Fare Club will become Spirit Saver$ Club Members will have access to discounted fares, up to 50% off checked and carry-on bags, discounts on seat assignments and discounts on Shortcut boarding and Flight Flex.
Other travel news:
Disney Cruises 2022
CommonPass Making Air Travel Safer
Wearing Face Masks on a Cruise
