Author Archive
American Airlines Warns of Fraudulent or phishing emails
FRAUDULENT COMMUNICATION
One of the most common types of email fraud is called “phishing”. Phishing is the practice of sending phony email messages that are disguised as legitimate and often include company logos that look real. A typical phishing email will include a false claim about a customer’s account and either a link or button that takes them to a “spoof” website that mimics a reputable company’s actual website, in hopes that they will disclose personal information such as a credit card number or account information. Some phishing emails may also have attachments which may contain potential email viruses. Traditional phishing happens exclusively via the Internet with emails and attachments, but offline phishing involves sending direct faxes and/or postal mailings to consumers or businesses as well.
Examples of Phishing Emails, Faxes, Contracts and Postal Mailings
Example Contract
Latest Email Example
Example Postal Mailing
Example Fax
Example Email 1
Example Email 2
Example Email 3
Example Email 4
Example Email 5
Example Email 6
Example Email 7
Example Email 8
Example Email 9
Example Email 10
Example Email 11
Example Email 12
Example of Phishing Email with our partner carrier British Airways
What To Do If You Receive a Phishing Email, Fax, Contract or Postal Mailing
American Airlines will never ask you to perform security-related changes to your account in this fashion or send emails to collect user names, passwords, email addresses or other personal information. If you receive an email claiming to be from American Airlines, that asks for account information, it should be considered fraudulent and an attempt to obtain personal information that may be used to commit fraud.
If you receive this type of email, do not click on any links, open any attachments, call any phone numbers listed or follow any instructions in the email. Instead, forward a copy of the email, including the header to webmaster@aa.comso that we can investigate further.
If you receive a phishing fax or postal mailing, please scan the examples and forward via email to webmaster@aa.com.
You may also want to file a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Additional Characteristics of a Phishing Email
- Asks for Personal Information: Many phishing emails request personal information such as credit card or account information, passwords, etc. Legitimate emails will never ask you to perform security-related changes to your account or send emails to collect user names, passwords, email addresses or other personal information through email or over the phone.
- Official-Looking Sender’s Email Address: The “From” line may include an email address that appears legitimate.
- Generic Email Greeting: Many phishing emails begin with something generic like “Dear User” or “Dear Customer”.
- False Claims: Many phishing emails make false claims about the status of your account and ask you to update or validate your account by clicking on an embedded link in the email. Some may also include a false sense of urgency and state that your account may be in jeopardy if it is not updated immediately.
- Fake Links: Many phishing emails include links that look valid but that send you to a spoof site. Never click on these links as the URL (Web page address) shown may appear to be legitimate (www.aa.com) but may actually display a different URL when you hover over the link with your mouse.
- Attachments: Never click on attachments as they may cause you to download spyware or a virus.
- Typos and Poor Grammar: Many phishing emails contain typos and poor grammar in the content.
Top Travel Apps for International Travelers – Wilcox World Travel & Tours
http://www.wilcoxtravel.com/25687-top-travel-apps-for-international-travelers/
Packing Tips for Airline Carry On Rules
Packing Tips for Airline Carry On Rules
After airlines began charging fees for checked baggage in 2008[1], frugal travelers started cramming everything into their carry-on bags. While overhead compartments got a lot more crowded, this tactic worked well. But recently, travelers have seen stricter enforcement of airline carry on rules. Here are some packing tips to make sure your bag fits.
Are There New Airline Carry on Rules?
Travel writer George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog.com wrote in USA Today[2]that before a recent flight on American Airlines, airport staff insisted he place his suitcase in a bag sizer. Despite having “taken this same 21-inch four-wheeled suitcase all around the world,” he wrote, it was rejected as being too big. One side was one inch too long.
Other airlines responded by saying they had not changed their carry on size limits, but Hobica contends that they have. Before March 2014, he says, United’s carry on bag limit was 45 inches (height + width + depth), including wheels and handles, with no side being longer than 22 inches. The new language says carry on luggage can’t exceed 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches.[3] It might seem like a small difference, he says, but this can mean that some bags that previously met the requirements will now have to be checked at additional cost. Hobica says a Delta passenger told him that a bag identical in size to his was also rejected as a carry on for a recent flight.
The upshot is that while most airlines’ carry on limits remain the same, it seems that some are getting stricter about enforcement. Here are some packing tips to ensure your bags meet airline carry on rules.
Research Your Airline’s Specific Policies
Airlines each have their own policies about carry on bag size, fees and definitions. Here are some major airlines’ carry on rules and maximum dimensions, as of July 2014. Remember that wheels and handles are included in the dimensions.
- Alaska Airlines: 24″ by 17″ by 10″. Exceptions made for human organs, art portfolios, paintings, delicate scientific equipment and fishing poles.[4]
- American Airlines: 22″ by 14″ by 9″. 45” combined dimensions. Beginning in June 2014, one diaper bag or duty-free item may be brought on board as a second personal item.[5]
- Delta: 22″ x 14″ x 9″. 45″ combined dimensions.[6]
- Frontier Airlines: 24″ by 16″ by 10″. A fee is charged for carry-on bags, ranging from $25 to $50.[7]
- JetBlue: 24″ by 16″ by 10″ [8]
- Southwest: 24″ by 16″ by 10″[9]
- United: 22″ x 14″ x 9″[10]
Know Which Items You’re Allowed to Carry On Separately
If your bag is bulging at the seams, you can take out certain items and bring them on board in your hands to make sure you’re meeting airline carry-on rules. Airlines typically allow passengers to carry on books and magazines, coats and outerwear, food, umbrellas and walking aids.[11]
Maximize Your “Personal Item”
Most airlines permit travelers to bring one personal item in addition to their carry on bag. This can mean a purse, backpack, briefcase or computer bag, but not more than one of these. (Some airlines permit diaper bags to be carried as a second personal item.) While your personal item must fit under the airplane seat, many airlines do not have specific dimensions it must meet. So pack as much as you can in your personal item to reduce the size of your carry on bag.
Try a Carry On Bag That Compresses Your Clothes
Forget those flimsy elastic bands in your old suitcase. Briggs-Riley sells a line of compression luggage that expands by a third and then shrinks back to regulation carry-on size when you zip it up.
Pack Your Bag Thoughtfully
To maximize space in your carry on bag, tightly roll your clothes and place the larger items in the bag first. Tuck socks, underwear and other small items in the leftover space, including inside your shoes. Make sure all liquids and gels meet TSA size limits and are easily accessible for inspection.
Lufthansa pilot union has called off strike in Frankfurt
We have been advised by Lufthansa that their pilot union has called off its strike for September 16, 2014. All operations are expected to be normal.
All Lufthansa long-haul flights from Frankfurt to depart on September 16th despite the strike
After announcement from the Vereinigung Cockpit pilots’ union that they will boycott the long-haul flights from Frankfurt on September 16th, Lufthansa published a special flight plan this afternoon. The plan is for all 40 long-haul flights scheduled to depart during the strike to take place. It is thus expected that the strike will not lead to any flight cancellations, rather just to a change in the departure times of 24 long-haul flights from Frankfurt.Passengers booked on to a long-haul flight from Frankfurt on September 16th are kindly requested to check the status of their flight prior to departure. Lufthansa is sending text messages and emails to all passengers registered for these services.
Affected passengers please check the status of their booking prior to departure at My bookings.
Passengers holding a Lufthansa/SWISS/Austrian Airlines or Brussels Ticket for flights still operating from/to/via Frankfurt on September 16th can rebook their flight free of charge once.
The following conditions have to apply:
Rebooking within same booking class:
– Tickets must be issue on/before 15.9.2014
– New date of travel must be on/before 16.12.2014
– Change of origin/destination and class of service/compartment is not permitted
– All other ticket conditions must be observed as per original ticket
Lufthansa will do everything in their power to inform and advise their passengers to the best of their ability during these trying times.
United Airlines and OTG Announce Plans to Re-Imagine the Airport Experience at Newark Liberty
http://newsroom.unitedcontinentalholdings.com/index.php?s=20295&item=124475
NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — United Airlines and OTG Management LLC today announced plans to transform the dining and retail experience at the airline’s hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and create unparalleled services and amenities for United’s customers. The program will combine leading-edge technology, award-winning dining and renowned design. The $120 million capital investment for the project will be provided by OTG, selected by United to oversee the transformation in Terminal C at Newark Liberty, including new chef-driven restaurants, expansive food halls, gourmet markets and world-class retail and duty-free shops. “Travelers today want the same high-quality dining and shopping choices in the airport that they have at home,” saidKate Gebo, United’s vice president of corporate real estate. “In collaboration with OTG, United is creating a customer experience at Newark Liberty that will provide exceptional food, beverage and retail options with the comfort and high-tech amenities that our customers have come to expect.” MOREAir France Pilots’ strike action from 15 to 22 September 2014
Update on 15 September, 13.30 am local time in Paris
Due to the call for strike action by several pilot unions, from September 15 to 22, Air France expect important disruptions in their flights schedule as of Monday, September 15, 2014.
Please note that Air France flights operated by other airlines, including HOP, KLM and Delta, are not affected by this strike.
The application of the Diard law will allow Air France to have a more accurate estimation of the number of pilots declaring themselves on strike action 48 hours in advance.
Air France’s flight schedule will be adapted accordingly and published at latest 24 hours ahead of departure. If you have left the airline your personal contact, they will be able to advise you by SMS or Email.
On September 15th and 16th, our flight schedule is updated.
– Last minute disturbances are not excluded.
– Before you go to the airport, it is recommended to verify the informations on operated flights. Air France’s flight schedule is updated 24h before the departure, in the “Flight schedules” section and on their mobile sites.
Air France’s teams are fully mobilized and make their utmost to assist you and minimize the impact of this industrial action on your travel plans.
If you are travelling on a flight operated by Air France, we propose you to modify your departure to avoid the period from September 15th to 22nd 2014, with the following conditions:
– You may postpone your trip between September 23rd and 30th, 2014 included, at no extra cost in the same cabin, on this website, in the “Review / modify your reservations” section, on our mobile sites or from your travel agent.
– To postpone your trip beyond September 30th, 2014, to change your origin or destination or if you no longer wish to travel, you can benefit of non-refundable voucher valid one year on Air France or KLM. In this case, please contact your usual travel agent.
– If your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than 5 hours, you can also request the refund of your ticket. For this option, we invite you to visit our “Practical information” page below, or contact your usual travel agency.
Practical information:
To allow Air France to inform you personally in real time of any changes on your flight, please check that you have updated your personal contact details (mobile telephone and/or email address) in your reservation file or your Flying Blue profile.
You can consult and update this information at any time on Air France’s website in the “Consult/modify my bookings” section and on our mobile sites.
Before you go to the airport, it is recommended to verify the informations on operated flights. Air France’s flight schedule is updated 24h before the departure, in the “Flight schedules” section and on our mobile sites.