I’ve been witnessing US status and mileage for a few years now first hand and I can genuinely tell you that I would probably go insane if I had to navigate that system. I think it’s one of those “the European mind cannot comprehend” things because the hoops your guys are made to jump through to get a somewhat decent transatlantic flight experience is a lot to process
The part that bothers me most is the mismatch in the promise. Airlines market miles as currency right up until the moment a points booking seems to make you the easiest passenger to displace. If the seat was legitimately sold for miles, it shouldn’t suddenly become a weaker claim because someone else paid cash.
Love your content Anne Marie! Am I remiss in believing Neil Jones was setting out to start his own company before joining the hotel brand you mentioned? I recall a website for him up with 'stay tuned' messaging
You mean Neil Jacobs or Neil Jones? Neil Jacobs (former Six Senses CEO) is the one who left to start something new. After stepping down from Six Senses in mid-2025, he launched Wild Origins, a hospitality/sustainability consultancy, and took on advisory roles at Capella and Desa Potato Head. Very recently (this week), he was announced as CEO of a new hospitality management business under Constellation Hotels Holding, which will eventually run The Connaught, The Berkeley, and The Emory in London.
Neil Jones is a different person, a longtime Marriott sales and marketing executive (MEA region, formerly at JW Marriott Cairo and Hanbury Manor).
Great insights from Katherine. I was very surprised to see so many guests from overseas in Austria this summer! Mentioning this in my next article actually… but given how tough the heat wave has been this year I think this trend is here to stay.
Something similar happened where we were in premium economy with our then 18 month old. They split up our seats seemingly so the flight attendants could nap? We had to ask an elderly woman and her son to swap so we could sit together. I mean it was a long haul flight from Japan and we specifically bought seats together.
Oh no that’s terrible! I thought the flight attendants had a little secret cabin place for naps on those long haul flights. I feel like we are losing flight rights all over the place!
I’ve been witnessing US status and mileage for a few years now first hand and I can genuinely tell you that I would probably go insane if I had to navigate that system. I think it’s one of those “the European mind cannot comprehend” things because the hoops your guys are made to jump through to get a somewhat decent transatlantic flight experience is a lot to process
It’s wild. That’s why there are so many people making money off of teaching how to navigate points
oh God yes I forgot about that line of work!
We had a saying in our office: “Delta pretends to care. United tries. Then there’s American.”
Ha very accurate
The part that bothers me most is the mismatch in the promise. Airlines market miles as currency right up until the moment a points booking seems to make you the easiest passenger to displace. If the seat was legitimately sold for miles, it shouldn’t suddenly become a weaker claim because someone else paid cash.
Absolutely! It feels like points become useless in those cases
Love your content Anne Marie! Am I remiss in believing Neil Jones was setting out to start his own company before joining the hotel brand you mentioned? I recall a website for him up with 'stay tuned' messaging
You mean Neil Jacobs or Neil Jones? Neil Jacobs (former Six Senses CEO) is the one who left to start something new. After stepping down from Six Senses in mid-2025, he launched Wild Origins, a hospitality/sustainability consultancy, and took on advisory roles at Capella and Desa Potato Head. Very recently (this week), he was announced as CEO of a new hospitality management business under Constellation Hotels Holding, which will eventually run The Connaught, The Berkeley, and The Emory in London.
Neil Jones is a different person, a longtime Marriott sales and marketing executive (MEA region, formerly at JW Marriott Cairo and Hanbury Manor).
Yes Neil Jacobs and his Wild Origins. I remember that piquing my interest. Thanks for the correction & update 🙌🏼
Great insights from Katherine. I was very surprised to see so many guests from overseas in Austria this summer! Mentioning this in my next article actually… but given how tough the heat wave has been this year I think this trend is here to stay.
We loved Austria - and we will be back! 🫶🏼
Austria is on my list! We went to the Dolomites this year and I absolutely loved it. I'm dying to take my kids on a Sound of Music ish trip.
I also love that it’s open earlier than some Swiss summer destinations!
Make sure to also visit Bavaria if you haven’t been yet!
Not the first long-haul. You can fly Austin to Frankfurt.
Hi! You can fly austin to Frankfurt on KLM, Lufthansa, and British Airways. Delta is the first US operator to fly long haul Austin to Europe.
I had no idea downgrades were a thing! I will now be on edge every time I fly on US airlines 🙈
It did not used to be a thing until recently
This will be me now too! 🙈
Something similar happened where we were in premium economy with our then 18 month old. They split up our seats seemingly so the flight attendants could nap? We had to ask an elderly woman and her son to swap so we could sit together. I mean it was a long haul flight from Japan and we specifically bought seats together.
Oh no that’s terrible! I thought the flight attendants had a little secret cabin place for naps on those long haul flights. I feel like we are losing flight rights all over the place!
They do! Usually! So I don’t know what was up but they put coats over their heads and napped. It was odd.