Lucky Traveling, Bilt’s Big Cut, Evaluating Airline Changes & The Olympics!
Aug 1, 2024
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Joe Cheung, a seasoned traveler known for his insightful take on the travel landscape, shares wild stories about his recent luck while navigating the skies and surviving the infamous Delta meltdown. The conversation dives into changing airline policies, with a focus on JetBlue and Southwest reshaping passenger experiences. They also explore the upcoming Olympics, reflecting on Paris's allure and LA’s future hosting. Cheung's perspective blends humor with practical travel advice, making this a must-listen for adventure seekers!
The unique approach of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony sparked admiration despite some controversies, highlighting the excitement and challenges of attending major events.
Recent changes to the Bilt loyalty program reveal a trend towards limiting benefits, showcasing the tension between consumer expectations and corporate profitability objectives.
Deep dives
Reflections on the Olympics and Travel
The excitement surrounding the Olympics often creates a sense of FOMO among potential attendees, as seen in the discussion about the Paris 2024 Olympics. The opening ceremony was highlighted for its unique approach, using the Seine River as a backdrop for country parades on boats, which sparked admiration despite some controversies. Observers acknowledged that although attending the Olympics in person can be thrilling, watching from home can provide a more comfortable experience, allowing viewers to skip through events and enjoy commentary. Anticipation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics was also mentioned, with the prospect of experiencing another opening ceremony raised as a topic of interest.
Airline Experiences During Travel Disruptions
Traveling during periods of airline disruption can lead to vastly different experiences, as illustrated by the Delta meltdown and one individual's mixed feelings about air travel. Despite Delta's widespread troubles, one traveler had a surprisingly smooth experience during their flight, highlighting how individual circumstances can vary greatly. The discussion underscored that while frustration with airlines can be high during cancellations and delays, loyalty towards an airline often shifts based on personal experiences rather than broad systemic issues. Additionally, the reliability of crew scheduling software was pointed out as a significant factor in widespread flight issues, emphasizing the complexity of modern air travel logistics.
The Changing Landscape of Airlines
The conversation focused on the evolution of airline models, particularly JetBlue and Southwest, as they transition towards mainstream practices in an effort to remain profitable. JetBlue has made adjustments to its legroom policies, reducing space for economy travelers while adding more premium seating, which has raised concerns among loyal customers regarding the quality of service. On the other hand, Southwest is handling situations like miracle flights—where passengers abuse boarding procedures—with the intent to balance profit while ensuring fair boarding processes. This evolution highlights how airlines must adapt in a competitive market while trying to meet customer expectations amidst ongoing changes.
The Impact of Built Changes on Loyalty Program Users
Recent changes to the Built loyalty program have sparked dissatisfaction among members due to new limitations on earning potential, particularly on rent payments capped at 1,000 points. These adjustments reflect a broader trend in loyalty programs to control costs and maintain profitability, which can frustrate users who feel they are losing out on benefits they previously enjoyed. The underlying reality is that businesses, including loyalty programs, often prioritize financial stability, which can lead to shifts that aren't favorable to all consumers. The discussion highlighted that while consumers may seek generosity from programs tied to community figures, the ultimate goal of companies is to turn a profit, necessitating tough decisions.
On this episode of the podcast Joe Cheung joins Shawn to discuss his recent good luck while traveling plus the two dive into all of the recent airline changes, Bilt’s big negative Rent Day moves and the Olympics.
Episode Notes
1:14 - Olympics
10:59 - Joe survived the Delta meltdown
17:34 - SciFi corner
24:43 - Jetblue and Southwest changes (recorded before Spirit changes!)
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