Welcome to The Morning Shave. We read a ton of travel articles each day for our research to share the best travel tips, tricks, and news with you. Here are the articles for Tuesday, December 26, 2023, that we think you should read.
Don’t miss out on any new posts. Join our email list for the latest tips, tricks, and travel news.
The Morning Shave
Hyatt Points Value to Me.
Not all points are created equal. One of the most valuable hotel points comes from Hyatt’s loyalty program. Yet, even these points range quite a bit in value. Many websites list average values around 2 cents per point, but the truth is most people will get much more or less when redeeming points for stays. My friend Ross shares some of his favorite redemptions over the last couple of years and how much value he received for each reservation.
From swingers to Swifties, there’s a cruise for every theme.
If you love to cruise, there’s definitely a cruise filled with people just like you. Instead of booking a boring cruise filled with random people that you don’t share common interests with. Book a cruise full of people who share your interests… whether that be Taylor Swift, your favorite football team, a love of Disney, or people who share other stuff <<wink, wink>>. There’s even a website that will help you locate cruises based on your interests.
This guy collects Do Not Disturb signs from Hotels around the World.
Hotels are always looking for ways to differentiate themselves from other properties. An easy and relatively inexpensive way to do so is by having unique Do Not Disturb signs. I’ve collected quite a few from Kimpton and other hotels, but my collection is nowhere near as extensive as this guy’s. What’s the most interesting DND sign you’ve ever come across?
5 Embarrassing Travel Gadgets That Actually Work.
A few of these products are actually quite ingenious. However, there’s no way that I’d ever wear that Ostrich Pillow. I’d probably have a panic attack due to claustrophobia… and if I didn’t, then embarrassment would certainly kill me. Would you use any of these products?
Why Does Everyone Think Alaska Airlines Will Retire the Hawaiian Airlines Brand?
Two iconic brands recently merged, and everyone is wondering what will happen with the new company. Alaska Airlines recently bought Hawaiian Airlines, and (for now) they’re keeping both brands separate while simultaneously merging their loyalty programs. Alaska Airlines previously bought Virgin America but quickly merged the two because it was a relatively new airline. In this case, the combined loyalty program is a huge benefit for members, but keeping two airlines separate can be quite confusing for travelers. Both brands have a ton of value in their name and history, but I’m not sure it makes sense to keep them separate for the long term. What do you think?
Thinking of getting a new credit card?
To see the best credit card offers available, go to our credit card marketplace to find your next card.
Alaska can keep a separate Hawaiian brand. They kept a separate Horizon brand. Horizon kept a separate Frontier Express brand where they flew CRJ700 for Frontier Airlines, mainly as Denver routes, since discontinued about 17 years ago.
They failed to keep the Jet America brand in Long Beach but tried. Virgin America had a licensing fee for the Virgin name so they didn’t want to pay it.
It is not that hard. Pilots will be one force, differing only in the announcement made on the loudspeaker. Flight attendant will be one force, differing only that maybe some HNL based FA will wear Hawaiian uniforms. Planes will be partly segregated. The 717’s will be Hawaiian. The 787’s will be mixed, some Hawaiian. It’s possible they will have a joint livery for the 787 or each side has a different airline. Or they will be mostly Alaska with a few Hawaiian 787’s. Those will be used for all flights of both airlines. The policies, such as re-booking or baggage charges will be the same for both airlines.
That makes a lot of sense. Like a lot of things, travelers will eventually get used to it and understand how the two brands are one.