Yapta Yapta Blog

The New York Times reported today that JetBlue has teamed up with Hilton so that members of the airline’s loyalty program can earn additional points when staying at any of Hilton’s 3,500 hotels worldwide.

This is how it works:  Hilton HHonors members earn one TrueBlue point for every $2 spent at a Hilton, including restaurants and spas.  For example, travelers flying to Cancún on JetBlue can earn about 60 additional TrueBlue points by staying at the Hilton Cancún Golf and Spa Resort and paying a nightly rate of $119.

And through July 15, in celebration of the new partnership, 860 select properties will double the points, offering HHonors members one TrueBlue point for every $1 spent. Click here for a list of participating hotels in the limited time promotion and to sign up for the program.

Hilton Worldwide properties include Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts, Conrad Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Hotels, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites, and Hilton Grand Vacations.

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• Spirit Airlines is being criticized for installing seats that don’t recline on its newest planes. According to the Sun Sentinel, the fixed upright seats will allow Spirit to squeeze in more passengers, and save money because non-reclining seats are cheaper.

• After first refusing to obey European Union rules, budget airline Ryanair now says that it will reimburse expenses for passengers stranded during the mass shutdown of European airspace.  Previously, Ryanair had announced that that his airline would ignore EU rules and only reimburse up to the amount paid for each ticket.  Airlines operating in Europe must provide–or reimburse for–meals, hotels and similar costs when passengers are stranded due to flight cancellations.  The EU rules  require monetary compensation for canceled flights except during extraordinary circumstances.  A volcanic eruption qualifies as extraordinary and airlines will not have to pay passengers for canceling flights, but the requirements for expense reimbursement still apply and stranded passengers may file claims when an airline refuses to provide meals and accommodations.

Earlier today, ABC News posed the question: “How Fat is Too Fat to Fly?“  The photo seen here – which is circulating on the Internet – has apparently rekindled this debate.  In the photo, allegedly taken by an American Airlines flight attendant, a very large man is spilling out over his armrest (he actually appears to be sitting on it) and filling half of the aisle.  Not only does it look really uncomfortable for the passenger — and the passenger next to him — but it also seems like a safety hazard.

“American, like most other airlines, has a policy for larger passengers.  Roughly speaking, most airlines try to make accommodations for passengers if the person’s body is large enough that it prevents the armrest between the seats from being fully lowered.

American tries not to charge passengers for an extra seat unless there are simply no other options.

If the flight is not full, American tries to seat the passenger in two adjacent seats.  Otherwise, the airline tries to book the person on another flight. If there is no other available flight or the passenger needs to be on that flight for scheduling reasons, the airline will sometimes book and charge the person for two seats.”

We addressed this particular topic back in June, noting that sometime in the future airlines may charge you for a seat based on your weight.  With airlines still wrestling with managing the cost of fuel – and attempting to cut other costs – it makes sense.  If you think about it, passengers are treated more and more like air freight anyway.  The only difference between you and the freight that’s transported on a plane is you get served a drink… sometimes.

What do you think?  If you have an opinion on this matter, sound off here.

Here’s some more travel news you can use:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has announced that it is introducing sleep rooms. The rooms, which will be operated by Minute Suites, are just 7 feet by 8 feet and are designed for travelers who want to relax, sleep or conduct business in between their flights.  The rooms come equipped with a daybed sofa, pillows, and fresh blankets.  There’s also a desk, phone, office chair and a Wi-Fi connection.  The rooms, which are in Concourse B, cost about $30 for the first hour and $7.50 for each additional 15 minutes.

• The USA Today’s Hotel Check-In blog notes some current hotel points promotions from Doubletree, Hilton, Omni & Carlson Hotels.  If you’re interested in earning double loyalty points or obtaining hotel credit, check out these promotions before they expire.

• Budget Travel spotlighted a “quickie deal to the Big Apple” that includes round-trip airfare on Southwest Airlines, 3-nights’ accomodations at the W New York, and hotel taxes, from $468 per person – plus about $35 in airport taxes.