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SkyNest Could Beat Business Class, Virgin Gets Worse & Spirit Is In Trouble

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Higher award fees, less lounge access, and one pretty wild new way to sleep on a plane. In this episode of MTM Travel, Shawn and Mark talk through Air New Zealand's new SkyNest bunk beds, Virgin Atlantic's uglier award surcharges, American cutting more basic economy benefits, Spirit's possible liquidation, and United tightening access to Polaris lounges.

What we cover:


• Shawn's Minneapolis meetup recap and Hyatt Centric stay
• The Fairmont Bermuda / Accor points reimbursement follow-up
• Air New Zealand's SkyNest bunk beds and whether they beat business class for sleep
• Virgin Atlantic's higher award fees and why the value keeps slipping
• American removing more elite perks from basic economy
• Spirit's possible liquidation and what it could mean for fares
• United restricting Polaris lounge access for many Star Alliance partners Links:


• Free newsletter
• Track your travel credit cards for free with Travel Freely
• Miles to Memories Facebook group
• Diamond Patreon and Gold Membership
• MTM Travel podcast
• Miles to Memories website
• Fairmont follow up - https://milestomemories.com/fairmont-hamilton-princess-billing-error/
• Skynest - https://milestomemories.com/air-new-zealand-skynest-economy-beds/
• Virgin hikes - https://milestomemories.com/virgin-atlantic-just-hiked-award-fees-again/
• AA basic economy changes - https://milestomemories.com/american-removes-elite-benefits-in-basic-economy/
• United Polaris access changes - https://milestomemories.com/united-restricts-polaris-lounge-access-for-star-alliance-partners/ Episode Guide


• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 4:54 Fairmont Bermuda and the Accor points refund mess
• 8:47 Air New Zealand's SkyNest bunk beds
• 13:30 Virgin Atlantic award fees jump again
• 16:59 Using Virgin points for AMC popcorn and drinks
• 18:46 American removes more basic economy elite perks
• 20:04 Spirit may liquidate and fares could get worse
• 23:04 United restricts Polaris lounge access for partner flyers What do you think about Air New Zealand's bunk-bed idea? Would you pay extra for four hours of real sleep, or would you still rather have a traditional business class seat?

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