Throughout the week, our team shares articles they’ve stumbled upon that may interest our readers, even if they might not otherwise merit a full post. Here are some of the posts we found interesting this week: Use points for Epcot’s fireworks, JetBlue could go bankrupt, Spirit on the verge of liquidation, and the new Alaska SFO lounge requires a co-pay.
This Might Be the Strangest Way To Use Aeroplan Points—But It Could Be A Good Value
YMMV found out that, starting in May, you’ll be able to book reserved-area seating for the fireworks show at Disney’s Epcot for 1,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points! Even though I love the weird little spot my sisters and I found for viewing the Epcot fireworks a few years ago, this got me really excited since I have another Disney trip coming up (with my sisters again, of course.) This visit will include my mom to celebrate her 70th birthday so it would be nice to make it extra special. As YMMV found, there’s an option to book access to a reserved viewing area within the Aeroplan rewards portal for Epcot’s evening fireworks show. The reserved access area is at the China Overlook, near the China Pavilion. Given that people spend hours staking out their viewing spots for the fireworks show, and it can otherwise be hard to see anything behind the crowds, this really did pique my interest. Unfortunately, availability is limited and therefore already gone for the dates I’d need, so I’ll have to resort to my old spot: the tiny little passageway at the Norway Pavillion, pictured above. I won’t pretend it was the best view of the fireworks, but it was fun and felt very exclusive (mostly because it was very narrow and hot, and unlikely to appeal to anyone else.) As for my sisters and I, it was amusing enough to be fun, but I am curious if any of you are willing to give up your fireworks-viewing secret spots?
JetBlue Founder Predicts Bankruptcy For Struggling Airline In Leaked Recording
It’s hard to fathom a number like “9 billion,” but apparently that’s the projected amount of debt JetBlue will be looking at this year, thanks to high fuel prices. At least that’s according to JetBlue’s founder, David Neeleman, who was recorded discussing the debt estimates from JP Morgan’s airline analyst (Jamie Baker) in a conversation with Breeze pilots. In the leaked conversation, Neeleman seems to believe JetBlue is looking at inevitable bankruptcy. Keep in mind that Neeleman hasn’t been involved in JetBlue in ~20 years, though he is still very connected in the airline industry (and is the founder of Breeze as well). The leaked recording also revealed his impression that United is concerned about JetBlue’s debt level, which could obviously deter them from acquiring JetBlue. Neeleman’s prediction would counter that of JP Morgan’s airline analyst, however, who believes an acquisition is more likely than bankruptcy. So what are your predictions? Bankruptcy? Acquisition? Both? Or some mysterious fourth option none of us has thought of yet…
Report: Spirit Airlines On Verge Of Liquidation, Could Happen Within Days
Keeping on theme with struggling US airlines, Bloomberg has reported that Spirit Airlines is potentially days away from liquidation. (Perhaps by the time this post goes live tomorrow, it will already have happened, for example!) The spike in oil prices was the last thing Spirit needed, already in the middle of Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in a very short span. Spirit had been forecasting an emergence from bankruptcy, but this now seems unlikely. If Spirit Airlines does go out of business…could that give JetBlue the extra boost it needs to avoid its own bankruptcy?
Alaska Lounge SFO Joins Priority Pass… With A $15 Co-Pay, And Other Rules
The Alaska Lounge at SFO’s Terminal 1 is joining Priority Pass, but don’t get too excited. There are some limitations to your entry as a Priority Pass member. For one, you’ll need to be flying on Alaska or a partner airline. Secondly, you’ll have to pay a $15 co-pay. And finally, you’ll be limited to a maximum of 4 hours. With lounges battling crowd issues these days, limitations like this make some sense to me, but I could see it stinging a bit to co-pay for your lounge access.
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Wow that will likely kill some/much value for those with the $395 Atmos Summit card – which grants a pair of passes every quarter – the cavet is that entry is not granted and is space available (same rules as day pass unlike UA/DL/AA cards with passes entry is much more liberal.
The AS lounge at PDX revolving door on PP – in 10± years thst I have seen them on PP – they have always been “space available” but have always been turned away – even empty but a few people when they first open in the AM.
That said the Summit card is not a keeper – so glad I didn’t speculativly XFR 300k+ MR to HA to AS.
Jetblue: Acquisition by AA, the only airline to have broken cover with a valuation on Jetblue hitherto.