May 23, 2023 | View Online | Sign Up
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I need to be honest with you. I had a very difficult time focusing while writing today’s newsletter. Banana Boat recently released a list of the 50 Best Beaches in the World and I keep having
dreams about #4 on the list.
Sadly, I keep waking up to the rude reality that in order for me to get to the beach from where I live in LA, I have to brave at least 45 minutes of traffic before spending another 30 looking for parking. I guess I’ll just put my feet in the tub, close my eyes, and dream.
In today's edition:
In desperate need of a beach vacation,
Arijana
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| AIRLINES
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American Airlines Newsroom
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Judge Orders JetBlue and American Airlines to End Their Partnership: What It Means for Travelers
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After nearly three years, JetBlue and American are being ordered to end their codeshare partnership by the federal court.
The strategic relationship gave travelers in the Northeast mutual access to earning and redeeming miles and also expanded both of their route networks. It was ruled that the relationship is anti-competitive and needs to be dissolved within 30 days.
The decision doesn’t bode well for JetBlue’s other merger. The Department of Justice is also suing them in an attempt to block their partnership with Spirit Airlines.
How will this affect travelers?
The court argues that blocking these partnerships will keep prices competitive for customers because the airlines could coordinate fares and drive up prices. On the other hand, the airlines involved say that the mergers helped travelers open up more booking options for travelers because they could earn rewards more easily across airlines.
Either way, the timing of the decision isn’t optimal. Undoing the partnership just ahead of the peak summer travel season could be messy for airlines and flyers alike.
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| RIDESHARE
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Uber’s Latest Features Include Boat Chartering, Group Grocery Orders, and Rides for Teens
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Nowadays it’s hard to imagine a world without rideshare apps. They do everything from providing rides to picking up food and delivering groceries. And, soon, you could be chartering boats and linking family rides too. At their GO-GET annual product showcase, Uber announced an impressive crop of new features. Here are a few of the most helpful features to look out for in the app:
Travel features
Boats: Uber will hit the water this summer, starting in Greece. Vacationers can use the app to book boats for up to 8 people so they can cruise around those magical Greek waters.
Uber Central: This feature will help businesses and concierges arrange rides for their guests. When a
coordinator requests a ride, the traveler will receive their trip itinerary and information without having to figure out all the logistics that can bog down a trip. The rider doesn’t even have to have the Uber app.
Group rides: Coordinating rides with friends is going to be a whole lot easier with the updated group trip features. In select cities, riders will be able to invite others and add addresses to a group ride. From there, the app will determine the most efficient route and then split up the cost based on each rider’s time on the trip. (Yes, that means no more mental math and Venmo-requesting involved.)
Family and more
Uber also released some non-travel-related features including being able to request Ubers with premier car seats for the little ones and a toll-free phone number for riders who don’t have a smartphone or the Uber app. They also released family profiles and teen accounts with extra safety measures in places so parents can have some peace of mind.
It doesn’t stop there. Read about the rest of the newly rolled-out features here. |
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| VIRTUAL THERAPY
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Feeling out of it?
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Remember: There's nothing wrong with asking for help. Nearly 4 million people have sought help from a licensed therapist on BetterHelp. Give therapy a try, from the comfort of your own
home.
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| DEALS OF THE WEEK
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It’s not too late to score a deal on a summer getaway. Here are our favorite deals of the week:
🏔 IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
When you book an RV with RVshare, you get a free park pass. Offer ends May 31, 2023.
🤑 IN YOUR WALLET
Book your next vacation for free with points! Our favorite card’s 80k sign-up bonus (offer ends Wednesday, 5/24) can get you three round-trip flights to Europe.
✈️ IN THE AIR
Breeze Airways’ $39 flight sale ends May 26th. The sale is valid on travel from May 31 to November 14. See full details here.
🏰 IN A MAGICAL PLACE
Teachers can score $92 rooms at Disney World this summer.
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| TRAVEL TIPS
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Whether you are at home or using public Wi-Fi on the go, protecting the information sent over unsecured connections helps ensure that your information stays private and secure. That’s where Norton Secure VPN comes in. A simple, easy-to-use VPN that secures your Internet connection and protects your private data.
Protect yourself with Norton Secure VPN and get 40% off an annual subscription for only $29.99.
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