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This post was originally published on this site American Airlines’ top executive had harsh words about competitors using artificial intelligence on airfare pricing. “I don’t think it’s appropriate,” AA CEO Robert Isom said Thursday, in what was an unusually pointed remark. The comment seemed to be aimed at Delta Air Lines, which earlier this month revealed it’s using AI to price about 3% of its domestic network through a partnership with tech firm Fetcherr. On July 10, Delta said it hoped to have AI involved in pricing as much as 20% of its domestic network by the end of the year, while noting AI use in its revenue management practices was still in the experimental phase. A Delta Air Lines aircraft at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY It begged the question: Are other airlines also using AI with pricing tactics? Not American, it seems. “I quite frankly think that some of the things I’ve heard are just not good,” Isom said while speaking Thursday on American’s second-quarter earnings call. “Consumers need to know that they can trust American, ok? This is not about bait and switch. This is not about tricking,” Isom added. “And certainly, from

This post was originally published on this site It’s the dawn of a new era for Etihad Airways’ medium-haul network. The United Arab Emirates carrier is taking delivery of its hotly anticipated Airbus A321LR, or “long-range,” which is designed to seriously upgrade the travel experience for medium-haul flights to and from its Abu Dhabi hub at Zayed International Airport (AUH). ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY The A321LR is the first single-aisle jet in Etihad’s fleet to feature a proper first-class product and lie-flat pods in the business-class cabin. This plane ushers in several other upgrades that flyers will undoubtedly enjoy during their journeys onboard the A321LR. Better yet, the A321LR allows Etihad to expand to several new destinations that it couldn’t reach with smaller planes or that didn’t have enough demand to fill a much-larger twin-aisle jet. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY In anticipation of the jet’s inaugural flight on Aug. 1, I traveled to Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Hamburg, Germany, to get a first look at this jet (and to join the delivery flight to Abu Dhabi). Here’s everything you need to know about Etihad’s A321LR — and why it’s such a big deal for the airline. Etihad Airbus A321LR first

This post was originally published on this site The benefits of elite status are popular with savvy travelers, but rental car elite status doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Rental car status can pay off — it helped one former TPG staffer rent a $100,000 BMW 7 Series for $3 per day. Whether you’re planning a road trip or looking for a vehicle to explore your next destination, rental car status can help you skip lines, take the keys and be on your way in record time. Plus, many rental car elite status tiers are obtainable by holding the right credit cards or airline or hotel status, making them more accessible than you might think. Here, we’ll explore the different elite tiers offered by major rental car companies and how you can earn and make the most of your rental car status. Related: How to skip long rental car pickup lines for free Avis rental car elite status GEORGE ROSE/GETTY IMAGES The baseline membership with Avis is called Avis Preferred. Anyone can join for free — and right now, Avis is offering 100 bonus points to new members who rent a car within three months of joining. Redemptions start