United Finds Problems On 5 Boeing 737 MAX 9 Planes

The Air Current: "United Airlines has found loose bolts and other parts on 737 Max 9 plug doors as it inspects its fleet of Boeing jets following the Friday rapid depressurization aboard an Alaska Airlines jet of the same make, according to three people familiar with the findings."

"The discrepant bolts and other parts on the plug doors have been found on at least five aircraft, one of the people told The Air Current."

I recommend reading the whole piece.

Points Wire Note:

Understandably, people in the travel community pay close attention when there's an aircraft safety issue. Unfortunately, that leads to to a ton of clickbait which makes it tough to find reliable information. Jon Ostrower's publication The Air Current is a resource I go to for solid reporting on aviation industry news such as aircraft safety.

Turkey Removes Visa Requirement For Americans And Canadians

The Points Guy: "Following a presidential decree, Turkey (also known as Turkiye) has lifted its tourism visa requirements for six new countries — including the United States and Canada."

"The decree, signed by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Dec. 22, has largely slipped under the radar. It was announced in the Turkish Official Gazette on Dec. 23 and applies to tourists visiting Turkey from the U.S., Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Oman and Saudi Arabia."

Points Wire Note:

Previously, Turkey charged ~$20 for an e-visa so this isn't going to save you a ton of money. However, it's nice to no longer have to handle the logistics of applying for a visa.

When Your "Free" Breakfast Isn't Actually Free

My friend God Save The Points touched on something that has been frustrating me recently after a recent stay at the Viceroy Santa Monica.

He notes that "In travel, and particularly hotel loyalty, the gesture of buying someone breakfast has been a long standing tradition to honor those who book directly or show an amount of loyalty by earning a level of elite guest status."

Regarding his recent stay, he had this to say: "Like many leading hotel groups, Viceroy offers a preferred partner ‘Guild’ rate, which is bookable by top travel agents and provides a slew of direct booking benefits and perks for agents and their clients. A $50 hotel credit, “daily breakfast for two”, late checkout and a welcome amenity are among the rate benefits here."

In recent years, I've seen a breakfast credit offered at more and more properties for both top tier elites and those who booked via preferred booking programs (Hyatt Privé, Marriott STARS, etc.).

It's particularly frustrating since the credit often doesn't cover breakfast if you get a main course, coffee, and juice. This is especially true at many big city properties in the U.S. as the credit has to cover gratuity (20% is often standard) and taxes (10% in some cases) as well.

Let's take the Conrad Washington, DC as an example. Hilton Gold and Diamond members get a $25 credit ($50 for two people). A main course is $25, a regular coffee is $6, and juice is $7. Throw in 20% and 10% for tax and you've nearly doubled the credit.

In the case of the Hilton dining credit, you at least know the cap ahead of time even if it's absurdly low based on the prices hotel restaurants charge. However, in many cases, you don't find out that it's a credit (that's too low) until check-in.

Hopefully, preferred booking programs and loyalty programs will start requiring properties to cover breakfast fully - even just a main course plus coffee or juice.

In the meantime, make sure you confirm the breakfast details when you check-in so you're not caught off guard.

What You Get With Delta VIP Select Service

One Mile At A Time: "If you use Delta VIP Select on departure, you’ll be met by a Delta representative at the curb (and they’ll already have pre-printed bag tags, if you’re checking bags), you’ll be escorted through security, and then you’ll be escorted to the Sky Club, which you receive complimentary access to (if you don’t otherwise have access); you’ll usually have a reserved table there, and then you’ll be picked up at the Sky Club and brought to your gate when it’s time to depart."

"If you use Delta VIP Select during a connection, you’ll be met at your arriving flight, you’ll be brought to the Sky Club (where there should be a reserved table), and then you’ll be brought to your connecting flight."

"If you use Delta VIP Select on arrival, you’ll be met at your arriving flight, and you’ll then be transfered to a pick-up spot, which has been coordinated with the person or party who is picking you up."

Points Wire Note:

At $500 (plus $100 for up to three additional passengers), it's not going to be for everyone. However, I can see the value for a family of four or for people who are inexperienced and nervous travelers since Delta will have staff ready to take care of you throughout your journey.

Flash Sale: Alaska Airlnes To Latin America And The Bahamas

Travel Codex: "Alaska Airlines has a one-day flash sale to the Bahamas and Latin America to bring in the New Year.  To book your 24% off sale price, use the discount code HELLO2024. This deal may be targeted as it just appeared in my email."

Some terms to note:

• Must book by 11:59pm PT on December 26, 2023.
• Must travel between January 12 and March 13, 2024
• Not valid on codeshare flights

TSA To Test Self-Screening At Airports

Skift: "With airport security lanes getting clogged in the U.S., UK and elsewhere, the Department of Homeland Security is slated to begin a series of tests of self-screening lanes at several airports, with Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas the first on tap in January."

Points Wire Note:

As with any new system, I imagine there will be growing pains. I'm curious just how much of an impact these growing pains will have in the early stages.

Four Airlines Join TSA PreCheck

If you're into points and miles, there's no reason not to have TSA PreCheck if you're eligible since a variety of credit cards will cover the cost of the application. Ideally, you'll actually get Global Entry which also provides TSA PreCheck access.

The kicker is that the airline you're flying also has to partner TSA PreCheck so it's great to see four new eligible airlines:

• Fiji Airways
• Lynx Air
• Norse Atlantic Airways
• Starlux Airlines

With the addition of these airlines, TSA PreCheck now covers 94 airlines at more than 200 U.S. airports.

Alaska Airlines 15% Off One Day Only

Travel Codex: "Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members should have received an email with the subject line 2023 really flew by!  This email contains a discount code for travel beginning January 9, 2024 and completed by February 14, 2024.  This discount code is good for 15% off your booking."

This offer may be targeted, but the code YIR2023 seems to work for anyone. Must purchase by 11:59pm PT on December 19, 2023. See full terms for additional details

Alaska Airlines Raising Bag Fees (Happy New Year!)

Thrifty Traveler: "Alaska Airlines will raise the cost of checking a bag in the New Year from $30 each way to $35, the first major U.S. airline to increase luggage fees across the board in more than five years – but likely not the last."

"For tickets booked on Jan. 2, 2024, and onwards, the cost of a first checked bag will be $35 – up from the longtime rate of $30 each way. Checking a second bag is also going up by $5, to $45."

Points Wire Note:

If you have an Alaska Airlines credit card (business or personal), you and up to six travel companions on your reservations can get one free checked bag when flying Alaska.

However, you do have to pay for the ticket(s) with your Alaska card to use this benefit. You might prefer to book with card that comes with trip delay coverage.

Indonesia May Return To Visa Free Entry For Select Nationalities

Loyalty Lobby: "Indonesia’s Tourism Minister has announced that the ministry is currently preparing an amendment to remove the Visa on Arrival requirement for 20 nationalities, returning to the previous Visa Waiver entry option."

Of the 20 countries, the United States would be one of them.