FYI…the audio quality this week is pretty bad. We’re sorry about that. Hope to get back on track next week.

Aimia runs the loyalty programs for several airlines. A couple of them no longer want to be in that relationship and the process to untangle that web is interesting, to say the least. The Air Canada/Aeroplan buyout offer is still on the table while Aeromexico’s offer was rejected outright.

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Also in this week’s show:

• Rehashing an older tale of the guy who scammed McDonald’s Monopoly game for years. And his quest for Delta Gold Medallion status.
• The TSA “Quiet Skies” program is all sorts of sketchy
• American is deferring A321neo deliveries, slowing its growth
• An Air Canada 787 made a wrong turn at Narita, causing a 5 hour delay for itself and a runway closure and scores of other delays/cancels for other airlines
• A few more details on the new Marriott program are out
• Delta is confirming new routes guaranteed to have the DeltaOne suites and Premium Select premium economy seating. Less well publicized is the associated downgrade for Comfort+ passengers that comes with the shift.

Be warned: If you booked @Delta in Comfort+ and your aircraft gets changed to a new A350/777 which has only Premium Select, they will simply kick you down to regular coach. If you want Premium Select, you'll have to pay the fare difference.

— Brett Snyder (@crankyflier) July 30, 2018