Here’s all the news that caught my eye this week – let me know in the comments if I missed something important or helped you find something new!
Airlines + Miles
Air Canada announced they plan to end their contract with Aimia, the company that runs Aeroplan, and launch their own in-house loyalty program in 2020. Many questions remain, including what happens to existing Aeroplan balances and whether the miles will be worth anything after the transition. Aimia’s stock dropped 57% after the announcement. [Toronto Star]
Alaska Airlines lounges now offer access to Virgin America passengers traveling on paid or award (not upgraded) first class tickets. [Travel Codex]
Alaska also announced that they will extend elite status for a year for Alaska Airlines and Virgin America elite members who take time off of work for a new child. [Skift]
Air India is launching nonstop service from New Delhi to Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Washington Dulles. [Travel Codex]
Delta has partnered with LSTN Sound Co. to offer sleek, socially conscious noise cancelling headphones in its Delta One suites this summer. [Runway Girl Network]
Flying Blue miles can get you from the US to Hawaii on Delta for just 15,000 miles one way. [Travel with Grant]
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is going to spend $38 million to create temporary bus gates in Terminal D while it works on a permanent airport expansion. [Travel Codex]
United is increasing its domestic presence out of SFO with more flights and bigger planes in response to Alaska’s expansion. [Travel Codex]
Credit Cards
Discover seems to have reconsidered some of its cashback denials from 2015’s Apple Pay promotion – Grant is getting an extra $326. [Travel with Grant]
Hotels + Points
Airbnb will now refund their service fees if you cancel a reservation, up to 3 times per year. They’ve also clarified the way they describe cancellation policies, and will show you the exact cutoff dates for a full or partial refund before you book. [At Airbnb]
Promotions + Deals
If you’re planning a trip to Europe this summer, Eurostar is offering a ten-day flash sale with a limited number of half-price tickets from London to Paris, Brussels, Calais, and Lille. [The Forward Cabin]
T-Mobile’s free hour of Gogo in-flight internet no longer works on international flights. [Travel with Grant]
Trip Reports
Mexico is phasing out customs forms and random bag checks in favor of an x-ray screening before sending bags out to baggage claim. [Travel with Grant]
Check out Premium Class on Alaska Airlines’ E175 regional jet. [Travel Codex]
Shelli shares her travel hack for hotel rooms with no towel hooks. [Travel with Grant]
Visit Air France’s Priority Pass lounge at SFO (one of my favorites). [Travel Codex]